Despite proposals from Kyiv residents, the city authorities have started the demolition of the historical workshop of the Bolshevik factory
This is reported by Kyiv24
In the capital, in Shuliavka, work has begun on the demolition of building No. 5 of the former Bolshevik factory. This is happening despite public proposals that insisted on alternative options for expanding the transport interchange without destroying the historical structure.
Justification for the Demolition Decision
As reported by heritage conservationist Dmytro Perov, the Kyiv authorities decided to ignore an alternative project that proposed preserving workshop No. 5. Back in 2017, a concept for a new transport interchange near the Shuliavska metro station was developed, which included the purchase of the building, its demolition, and the construction of a new overpass.
According to the activist, workshop No. 5 is part of one of the oldest defense factories in Kyiv and holds historical value for the city.
“They are demolishing workshop No. 5 of the first Kyiv machine-building factory (‘Bolshevik’)… One of the largest and oldest defense factories in Kyiv is being demolished for the sake of building yet another unnecessary interchange,” wrote Dmytro Perov.
Funding and Alternative Proposals
In 2023, the Kyiv City Council allocated 91 million hryvnias for the demolition of the workshop, but the contract was not signed due to violations of antitrust legislation. Two years later, this issue was revisited, and by 2025, the cost of demolition had risen to 121 million hryvnias.
At the same time, transport engineer Viktor Petruk proposed an alternative project that would allow for the preservation of the historical building and was more economically viable. However, this option was not supported, and the execution of large-scale works was entrusted to companies associated with Maksym Mykytas, the former head of Ukrbud.
According to Perov, what could not be destroyed by the Luftwaffe and Russian missiles is now happening at the initiative of the city authorities.
The discussion regarding the feasibility of demolishing historical sites in Kyiv continues, and the public is urging the city authorities to consider cultural heritage during the implementation of infrastructure projects.