Dolmama to be demolished together with other buildings of 19th century (video)
One of elite restaurants of Yerevan will be demolished. Still according to the government decision made in 2013 the territory of Abovyan-Pushkin-Sakharov square was recognized an eminent domain. Founder of Dolmama restaurant says that he will lose his 18 years’ job. “It’s not only me who will suffer losses; there is a desire to demolish the whole street. There are several buildings of the 19th century, the firefighters’ building is of the 20th century,” says the founder of the restaurant Zhirayr Avanyan. “Local developers” company belonging to Samvel Mayrapetyan has acquired the territory. “I don’t know a tourist, who wants to come to Armenia and see a newly built building,” says Zhirayr Avanyan. He suggests implementing “Old Yerevan” project on Pushkin Street. “By restoring they get what they want.” For maintaining the territory of Abovyan-Pushkin-Sakharov square 80 tour-operators have applied to Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan. “We want a small part to be maintained in order to show tourists: that’s the problem. Everything shouldn’t be alienated and be called ‘eminent domain’. “It is given from one private owner to another,” says Director of “Areni” festival Nune Manukyan. Marina Kpryan, President of “Armenia Travel” tourist agency adds that all the tourists are interested in Old Yerevan. “Today you will not surprise tourists by showing new buildings.” Municipality informed the tour-operators that the decision had been made that it will be demolished and multifunctional construction has been planned in its place, underground car parks, green zones will be created etc.
