The Scandalous Development of Lesopark: Why Terekhov's City Hall Is Hiding Capital Construction in a Recreational Area
Construction work continues in Kharkiv's Sokolniki district on the territory of a regional landscape park, but city authorities are not providing any real information, writes Opinion
Around July-August, Kharkiv residents noticed the felling of large trees on Kharkiv Highway (formerly Belgorod Highway), behind a gas station. Heavy construction equipment later appeared at the site, making it obvious that some kind of construction was in full swing. Meanwhile, residents began returning to the area of Kharkiv depopulated by the war, including Sokolniki, where construction was ongoing, and the first photos of the site appeared online.
It turned out that a large area in the Lesopark, right next to the "Small Railway" bridge over the stream, had been cleared and concrete foundations had begun to be laid. There was no information board about the project, as required by law, at the site. Only signs prohibiting entry due to the alleged mine hazard remain (although this doesn't prevent the construction workers from moving freely).
Construction in Lesopark / social media
Social media users have speculated about a luxury real estate development being built in the forest. Furthermore, construction has begun nearby on a road—an exit from Professorska Street to Kharkivske Highway. Incidentally, the project to build this road has long been known; it is intended to relieve congestion on the exit to Derevyanko Street, which was a source of significant congestion before the war.
Lesopaprka development. New road from Professorskaya Street / social media
The secrecy of the registers and the lack of official comment from Terekhovo City Hall fueled a flurry of rumors about the development's owners. Community activists, opposition city council members, and concerned Kharkiv residents tried to obtain any information they could, contacting the city council, but the council simply ignored the matter, further fueling interest in the developers.
Already in October, according to the publication “Kharkiv TodayKharkiv City Council member Irina Goncharova sent a request to Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov regarding construction in Sokolniki, located within the Sokolniki-Pomerki regional landscape park. The member also asked to see a report assessing the environmental impact of these works.
Of course, no documents were provided. However, Yevhen Vodovozov, Kharkiv's Deputy Mayor for Infrastructure, voiced the mayor's office's official position without any reports. According to him, a road is planned to be built on this section, leading out of the Sokolniki microdistrict—from Professorska Street toward Kharkiv Highway. Moreover, according to Vodovozov, construction will not begin until next year, and private development is not even considered.
Continuation of the road from Professorskaya to Kharkiv Highway / Photo: Opinion
«This road has been long overdue. We are currently conducting preparatory work in the area of the children's railway. The information about plans to build a house there is untrue. The children's railway will not be affected.“,” Vodovozov said.
At the same time, literally 100 meters from the new road the official is talking about, the foundation is being poured at full speed, with workers working even on the evening of Sunday, October 30th.
Indeed, a road is visible at the site, already cut through the forest belt, reaching the railway and bike path. However, it's also impossible not to notice a separate construction project, fenced off to the right, 100 meters from this road. Furthermore, the construction site features reinforced concrete ties and supports, resembling a building foundation, not road fill. As of October 30, the foundation was covered with green camouflage netting, but work has not ceased. Therefore, it's obvious to the naked eye that these are two separate construction projects.
Forest Park development. Construction work near the Small Railway / social media
Thus, the information provided by the mayor's office appears to be completely untrue. Construction is already underway, and not just on the road. It's hard to believe that Terekhov's subordinates could have failed to notice the pile of construction equipment, the two-meter fence, and the excavations at the edge of the Lesopark.
Forest Park Development. Whose Land?
Currently, it is impossible to view the cadastral map, as a number of state registries have become closed to the public since the Russian invasion. However, in April 2016, the Kharkiv Anti-Corruption Center wrote an article specifically about this land plot, publishing the relevant extracts.
Leopark development. Screenshot from the KhAC article.
According to the Kharkiv Regional Anti-Corruption Center, Viktoria Belyavtseva, then Director of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration's Department for Improving Regional Competitiveness and now the Chief of Staff of the Kharkiv Regional Anti-Corruption Center, allegedly attempted to sell this 0,48-hectare land in Lesopark for UAH 6 million.
Extract from the Register of Rights to Real Estate / HAC
where the development of the Lesopark is taking place
The location of the construction site on the map / HAC
"The Sokolniki Stream flows through the area—a practically ready-made picturesque recreation area. A wonderful place for a residential building," stated a now-deleted land listing on OLX, according to the Kharkiv Agricultural Center.
The Kharkiv Agrarian Center emphasized that the plot put up for sale was not Belyavtseva's property, but merely leased. The land belonged to the Kharkiv community. However, the official did list this land in her 2015 property declaration.
In a comment to Dumka.media on October 30, Belyavtseva denied any involvement in the construction of real estate in Sokolniki in Kharkov.Yes, it was rented at one time (it's a plot of land – ed.). I have nothing to do with this construction. Whether someone else is building it or not, I don't know. I also see the information in the same places you do.“,” Belyavtseva said.
Construction as of October 30 / Photo: Opinion
Currently, there is no official publicly available information about who owns the land, who is using it, or who is carrying out construction. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the plot has indeed been resold in the past few years.
However, the plans published several years ago indicate the intended use of these 0,48 hectares of municipal land in Lesopark as "for the construction and maintenance of a residential building, outbuildings, and structures." Building a road on extremely valuable land for residential development in Lesopark is absurd.
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Signs near the construction site / Photo: Opinion
So, it currently appears that Terekhovo City Hall is concealing information about construction in a recreational area on municipal land, publicly disclosing only the road. Either Kharkiv City Council officials are unaware of the major construction project, even though any Kharkiv entrepreneur knows that pitching even a tent in a secluded area is impossible without the city's approval, or the officials are deliberately misleading the public. However, it is clear that nothing can be built in the city without the approval of Terekhovo City Hall—either legally or illegally.
translation Skelet.Org
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