Kutaisi Is Under Construction

In six months Kutaisi will be a “European” city, a promise that excites only the government. Several days ago, the central area of the city was blocked by the Georgian President’s stage and podium-delivered from Sighnaghi- where President Saakashvili made promises to local people. The concert finished and the residents of Kutaisi faced a new problem.

“They ordered us to empty this area and move to another, though nobody told us where exactly,” said Lali Managadze, a saleswoman in a shop on Pushkin Street in Old Kutaisi. “I was not surprised with that situation because our government does not care about people. They set up construction projects without asking our opinions about them nor has anyone negotiated the issues of alternative accommodations.”

Many families and offices located on Pushkin Street, St. Nino Street and Tsisperkantselebi Street in Kutaisi will reportedly share the fate of Managadze. Those people were informed about the situation several months ago and several families living near the Rioni River were offered compensation in exchange for leaving their houses. However, there is now no talk of compensation at all.

“At the end of August we were made a similar offer, but since then we have seen no one,” said Giorgi Beridze, a resident of Old Kutaisi. “In August, they spoke of a 200 USD per square meter compensation, which is of course not enough. As soon as they appear again we will tell them our opinion and we will demand alternative flats in the city center.”

The central government has apportioned 30 million lari for the rehabilitation of Kutaisi’s Historical Old Town. The City Development and Rehabilitation Fund, established for the “Reconstruction of Kutaisi” is in charge of all renovation projects. The sum laid out in the budget, however, has not yet been transferred to the Fund. Regardless, stands in three central streets of Kutaisi announce that “renovations” are being undertaken by the Tbilisi Building Company. The latter has already become a topic of discussion between Kutaisi residents. People are dissatisfied that the authority did not use a local building company and instead used one from Tbilisi.

“Kutaisi will gain back its old charm,” stated the billboards in the city, causing various reactions from residents. “They will paint the facades of the buildings, pave the streets and hang rugs from our balconies to show off in front of visitors. But do they think about the hungry people who will stand on those balconies?” Kutaisi residents ask. The local government intends to invite more tourists and investors to the renovated city. Andro Losaberidze, Chairman of the Development and Rehabilitation Fund and a member of the Municipality, stated that fashionable hotels will be built, the embankment of the Rioni River will be reconstructed and that there will be a great fireworks show in Kutaisi on Georgia’s Independence Day (May 26). Kutaisi would be the second city in Georgia (Sighnaghi was the first) where 30 million lari would be spent on renovations and would be presented to the public on Independence Day.

Shorena Kakabadze, Kutaisi