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Large scale construction works have started in the center of Vanadzor, Lori province, when a 6 meter deep pit was dug in the center of town, where green area stood just a week ago.

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Human rights activist Artur Sakunts says the construction site violates laws on urban planning.
  “It was a green area of public use,” says Sakunts. “We don’t know the purpose of the planned use of that territory, we are unaware of the way the plot of land was obtained. How could the city sell to an individual? Could that land lot be put to auction?”
  Builders say a healthcare and rehabilitation center will be built there.
  Construction is tied with the name of National Assembly Republican Party member Karen Saribekyan of Vanadzor. Despite Saribekyan refutes the talks, the non-official information from the municipality of the town says the territory once belonged to Saribekyan, who was then director of the Armenian Electric Network Northern Branch.
  Now the territory as well as ongoing construction belongs to Yerevan businessman Rafayel Manucharyan, who says the new center will include a fitness club, swimming pool, massage room.
  Manucharyan says he bought the area two years ago, but can’t remember who he bought it from.
  Tigran Papanyan, head of the urban-planning and architecture department at the municipality says he does not know the owner of the site other than Manucharyan. “The deal has not been made in times when I worked,” says Papanyan, explaining than when he took his position in municipality the plot of land was already not stated-owned.
  The article 13 of the RA law on urban-planning provides that the representatives of the public have the right to get clear information about the planned changes in their living environment when holding urban-planning activities.
  The citizens’ awareness and participation to public discussions, the law says, should be provided by the local self-administration bodies before the approval of projects.
  Papanyan also supports the idea of holding public discussions. He says attempts have been made to have such transparency, but that it was difficult to get people (both businessman and public)to come.
  Papanyan says the 600 square meter lot is classified as land of public importance that can be given to private persons for providing public services.
  “The owner could inform us (for example) if he planned to build a restaurant there. A restaurant is also a building providing public services, but we would ban it, while building a healthcare rehabilitation center was permitted due to its necessity in Vanadzor.”
  Need aside, some residents complain that the green area was needed more.
  According to the project the three storied construction covered with glass and natural stones will have all modern utility communications conforming to contemporary demands.
  Papanyan says Vanadzor needs a modern structure to counter all the old building. But Sakunts recalls this is not the first time the local authorities decide to change the architectural look of the town without including citizens in the plans.
  “They will build something no one is aware of. May be it would be better to use the territory for other purposes,” says the right activist.
  Sakunts insists the building under construction will directly affect the architectural portrait of the town, is not proper to the center of the town and will minimize the visibility of the cultural structures and buildings in the neighborhood. He plans to study the lawfulness of the area privatization and identify its conformity to the urban-planning [norms].
  Meanwhile businessman Manucharyan is optimistic of his investment.
  “Vanadzor is a very active town, so my expenses will be paid back,” says the businessman.

http://www.armenianow.com/?action=viewArticle&IID=1183&CID=2905&AID=2980&lng=eng
  By Naira Bulghadaryan
ArmeniaNow Vanadzor reporter