The reconstruction of the central alley is in full swing on Kirova Street in Vitebsk
The transformation of the old boulevard, which appeared in the regional center in the middle of the last century, is happening before our eyes. In a short period, the fence, pavement, and benches were dismantled, and now the laying of new tiles has begun. Along with the employees of "PlissaStroy" LLC, which won the tender for the reconstruction of the alley, the construction squad "Strong Link" of the Vitebsk State Technical College is working at the site. As its commander Vyacheslav Shkrabov said, for future builders, this is a kind of production practice, during which they can consolidate the acquired knowledge in practice.
In addition to paving slabs, lampposts, benches, and urns will be replaced. Instead of a cast-iron fence, there will be a hedge of shrubs. The boulevard will be decorated with flower beds and small architectural forms. The bust of the Soviet party leader Sergey Kirov, after whom the street and alley are named, will still occupy the central place. The installation of a new park sculptural composition dedicated to the youth of the 1950s is planned.
An entrance arch with decorative bas-reliefs depicting the Order of the Red Banner of Labour and a fragment of the Decree on awarding it to the city of Vitebsk will appear on the side of the station.
The ensemble of buildings on the street leading from the railway station to the Kirov Bridge is included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values. Its authors are architects Vitaly and Alexandra Danilov, Valentin Gusev, as evidenced by the memorial plaque on house No. 4. According to the project, one of the narrowest streets in Vitebsk, formed in the late 18th – early 19th centuries (how did a tram line manage to fit into it?), was expanded 10 times and became the widest in the republic at that time. A boulevard was laid out in the center of the thoroughfare. The first residential building was constructed in 1952, and trees were planted in 1955. Among the last buildings erected in 1960 as part of the street ensemble is the six-story Dvina hotel on the bank of the Western Dvina River.
The reconstruction of the alley is planned to be completed next month. It promises to become one of the attractive picturesque places in the city, from which guests arriving by train begin their acquaintance with Vitebsk.