The Great Synagogue and a fragment of the city fortress will be restored in Vitebsk

The presentation of projects and solutions planned for implementation in Vitebsk generated significant interest among participants of the specialized construction exhibition "Construction: New Solutions and Technologies," which took place in our city.

We asked the chief architect of the region, Arkady Lapko, to elaborate on the future transformations in the architectural appearance of the regional center.

— Arkady Alexandrovich, will the historical part of the city change in the future?

— Construction in the historical part of the city is primarily aimed at restoring once-destroyed buildings, as well as reconstructing existing ones. For example, the project for the regeneration of the central part of Vitebsk includes the restoration of two towers of the Vitebsk fortress wall, which was once located in the area of Millennium Square. Also, not far from this location, closer to Kalinin Street, stood the Great Synagogue, built in the early 20th century, the foundation of which has been preserved. The project envisages the restoration of this building.

Next to the Annunciation Church, on the banks of the Dvina River, the Palace of Ceremonies will be built. The facility has been designed and its project has passed expert review.

— What cultural and entertainment facilities, retail outlets, and roadside service facilities will Vitebsk gain in the future?

— Urban planning documentation provides for the implementation of interesting investment projects. Thus, over time, we will have a Vitebsk "Disneyland," which will feature numerous attractions, a children's railway, a ski and roller ski track, cafes, and other attributes of healthy family recreation. A site between the Ice Palace and the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Hospital has been designated for this facility. Currently, UP "Institute Vitebskgrazhdanproekt" has prepared a design proposal.

Work continues on the construction of the Vitebsk car market, located in the Voronovsky Ring area. In 2012, the "VitebskAvtoCity" automotive complex began operations, and this year, a dealership building was commissioned. With the expansion of the market's territory, it will be possible to sell heavy trucks.

The first phase of the Vitebsk Zoo construction has been completed. In the future, a hippodrome will be attached to it, which will house indoor and outdoor arenas, and stables. The facility is at the conceptual design stage.

Plans include the construction of the multifunctional complex "Vitebsk-City", business centers on Moskovsky Avenue (in Bilevo) and Chernyakhovsky Avenue, and an exhibition center under the working title "VDNK".

— What transformations will affect the residential areas? Where will new residential quarters appear?

— As for housing construction, it is being carried out on a large scale in Bilevo-2, -3. In the future, it is planned in the Luchosa microdistrict (there is a development project that has passed expert review), where housing for more than 30,000 citizens will be built. The residential area of Leningradskaya Street will become prestigious; the construction of retail facilities, a kindergarten, and a park on the bank of the Western Dvina River is planned here.

The architectural appearance of Bilevo -1, -2, -3 will be completed by the construction of complexes consisting of high-rise residential buildings, public and retail facilities. In each of the three complexes, it is planned to create pedestrian boulevards connecting Moskovsky Avenue with the continuation of Stroiteley Avenue.

Irina Azevich, "Vitbichi"