Andriivsky uzviz is typically a place with no room to swing a cat. However, for almost a week now there’s been a completely different situation: only here and there on the sidewalks there are a few stands with souvenirs and folk crafts products, while artists are completely gone from the picture. Potential buyers are hardly seen in the horizon. The reason for this is the beginning of the reconstruction of Andriivsky uzviz for soccer championship Euro-2012.
At the offsite meeting of Kyiv City State Administration held by Oleksandr Popov right at the Andriivsky uzviz, the officials said that 150 million hryvnias would be spent on the reconstruction works and the authentic look of the street will not be damaged in any way.
“It is extremely important for us to preserve the authenticity of Andriivsky uzviz, because it is an integral part of Kyiv’s soul. Working on the improvement of the historic center we do not leave Podil and Adnriivsky uzviz, in particular, without attention. That is why today we consider projects for reconstructing Andriivsky uzviz and consult with artists and art galleries’ owners, for whom uzviz became their second home,” said Popov.
Today almost the whole right side of the uzviz is fenced off so that the road can be paved. The atmosphere is really depressing – the inhabitants of Kyiv’s Montmarte are sharply watching the dozen of young men with clubs and perforators. But, unfortunately, nothing can be done. “Well, did you see the fence they put up?” says a seller of colorful trinkets quietly to a fellow vendor, who only nodded angrily to that.
In fact, here is a bit about the scale of the construction: it is planned to restore the pavement, to lay figured tiles on sidewalks, make the buildings’ facades look more descent, and fix communication lines. However, time does not wait – all the works should be completed by The Day of Kyiv in 2012.
What concerns those, who consider uzviz their second home, the situation is ambiguous. On the one hand, the artists like Peizazhna Alley better. “It is more comfortable here. Despite the dust from the repair works from the slope (where St. Andrew’s Church is located) we like it better here. People can walk around and closely look at the paintings without stumbling over sharp stones. Soon it will get even better: there will be pavilions made and lights installed so that the place will look totally European. It’ll be much more presentable for the foreigners who will come here,” says artist Mykola. Souvenir seller objects his statement: “There’s nothing good in it. We will have to huddle near the wall of fence. When it will be removed we will also have to move. Things will be even more uncomfortable in winter time. There will be days when we will be able to come out and sell but there sure will be days when we’ll have to stay at home instead.”
There is no doubt that Andriivsky uzviz badly needs some construction works to be done. But it should rather be restoration instead of reconstruction. According to the project “Old City,” which has to be finished by December 1, 2011, six new buildings, including hotel complex and office center, will appear on the Adriivsky uzviz. After such “plastic surgery” the spiritual center of the city may change beyond all recognition and perhaps not for the best.
