In Odessa, the lease of four buildings has been transformed into a complex covering thousands of square meters

An industrial market in Odesa, which has been in operation for over 20 years, has become the subject of a criminal investigation. Investigators are looking into whether dozens of large structures were built on its grounds without the proper permits and in violation of land-use regulations.

This was reported by the Center for Public Investigations.

According to the investigation, in 2000, the “Veteran ZS-91” association obtained ownership rights to only four properties at 11 Inglese Street: two control rooms, an administrative building, and a storage facility with a total area of 493.4 square meters. That same year, the city council leased an 11.8-hectare plot of land to the company for 20 years to operate an industrial market, parking lots, and garages. The agreement prohibited the construction of new permanent structures and any change in the land’s designated use.

The investigation notes that even at that time, pavilions, containers, kiosks, and other temporary structures were already in use on the site, but only four buildings had been officially registered.

In 2019, inspectors from the State Architectural and Construction Control Agency discovered unauthorized pavilions, garages, restrooms, and security offices. The company was fined and ordered to rectify the violations, but, according to law enforcement officials, it failed to do so.

In 2023, all structures were consolidated into a single property complex covering more than 44,000 square meters, after which ownership rights were registered for hundreds of garages, stores, auto repair shops, a car wash, and other facilities. At the same time, the construction activity registry lacks documents confirming permits for their construction or commissioning.

Investigators are also examining the legality of a new land lease agreement signed in 2025. The judge authorized an inspection of the plots and all buildings, with the involvement of experts, to document the circumstances necessary for the ongoing investigation.

As reported by Intent, in early July, the judge agreed with the investigators’ arguments and ordered the seizure of a complex of non-residential buildings at the industrial market, as well as land plots with a total area of 11.8 hectares and newly formed plots. 

Анна Літман