March 30, 2026, 3:26 p.m.
(PHOTO: Oleksandr Avdeev/Facebook)
The destruction of the architectural monument at 10 French Boulevard became possible due to the municipality's delay in updating urban planning documentation, which has not been carried out for 10 years.
This was stated by the head of the Odesa City Military Administration, Serhiy Lysak.
He noted that this applies to the General Plan, the historical and architectural reference plan, zoning and other key documents.
"The problem is much deeper. For more than 10 years, the city has been living without updated urban planning documentation. For more than eight years, it has been without a full-fledged chief architect, elected in a transparent manner. We are still guided by outdated documents, some of which are more than 20 years old," said the head of the city administration.
In May 2025, Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov appointed an acting director of the new Department of Architecture, Urban Development and Land Relations of the Odesa City Council, who is also the city's chief architect. However, a full-fledged chief architect was to be selected through a competition that the city council has not yet announced.
Mr. Lysak also emphasized that the historic center of Odesa will be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. But these requirements have not yet been integrated into urban planning documentation.
See also: How historic Odesa is disappearing. Emphasis
"The lack of clear rules and responsibility creates conditions for chaotic development and destruction of heritage. That is why I have instructed the City Council to immediately resume the full-fledged work of the Architecture and Urban Planning Authority as a modern urban office capable of meeting the challenges of today," said Lysak.
The Prosecutor's Office of Odesa region has launched criminal proceedings over possible illegal interference with cultural heritage sites at 10 Frantsuzsky Boulevard. This refers to the high-profile construction work that, according to media reports, was carried out on the night of March 24 with the use of special equipment.
At the same time, the Odesa Regional Military Administration has already decided to impose financial sanctions on the owner of the facility. These are penalties for failure to comply with the terms of the security agreement, illegal work, and actions that could have or have already caused damage to the cultural heritage site.
Кирило Бойко
March 30, 2026
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