The controversial reconstruction of Andriyivsky Uzviz is causing an uproar among Kyivans. (Kostyantyn Chernichkin)

Oleksandr Koblikov
Student

“Architecturally significant places like Andriyivsky Uzviz shouldn’t have been changed in any way except reconstruction. But I live in Ukraine, and nothing here can surprise me. If Akhmetov’s company really wants to build a business center of glass and concrete, it certainly will and there’s nothing to stop it.”

Anatoly Kovtun,
Pensioner

“The protesters made Akhmetov’s company say it would back off plans to erect a business center on Andriyivsky Uzviz, promising to restore the facades. Even if they do, the historical place has already lost its wholeness and atmosphere. That the Kyiv City Administration didn’t interfere in the situation disappointed me much.”

Liliya Telichenko
Pensioner

“I don’t believe in [Akhmetov’s] assurances that the business center won’t be built. Moreover, Oleksandr Popov as head of Kyiv City Administration showed that he couldn’t prevent the destruction of the old image of Andriyivsky. Akhmetov is not a resident of Kyiv and doesn’t care about its heritage. I can’t imagine a multistory business center on Andriyivsky because it would ruin the scenery completely. I see it as an open-air museum. I feel scared about the future of Andriyivsky Uzviz.”

Alla Grechko
Student

“I was pleasantly surprised that Akhmetov’s company quickly decided to abandon the construction. For me, Andriyivsky with its year-round fair of painters and other masters of culture is one of the key elements of Kyiv.”

Anna Galushko
Pensioner

“The retreat by Akhmetov may simply be pretense because elections for Kyiv mayor will be held later this year. They will wait until everything settles down and then continue building their business center. Kyivans won’t recognize it when it is finished.”