Most Yerevan residents support Cultura Hub project proposed by  WILMOTTE & ASSOCIES ARCHITECTES

ArmInfo.The majority of city residents supported the project for the construction of the Cascade complex "Cultural Hub" proposed by the French WILMOTTE & ASSOCIES ARCHITECTES. The results of the voting on the construction project at the "Active Citizen" site were presented on October 21 at a working meeting of the Yerevan City Hall.

The voting took place from September 2 to 29, during which the public  was presented with 2 projects - "Cascade Gardens" by the American  architect David Hotson, and "Cascade Cultural Node" by the French -  Jean-Michel Wilmotte.

It was noted that the number of views on the "Active Citizen" site  amounted to 41,762, but slightly more than 5.2% of citizens took part  in the voting. In particular, 2,030 people voted, and 135 left  evaluative comments. That is, in total 2,165 people showed interest  in the project.

The ratio of votes was distributed as follows: 902 people or over 34%  voted for the "Cascade Gardens" project, and 1,128 or 55.6% for the  "Cascade Cultural Hub". As for the comments, the majority (over 45%)  also supported the project of the French architect, over 34% - the  American one, and about 20% of citizens indicated that both projects  are unacceptable. In this regard, the mayor of Yerevan instructed  those responsible to organize discussions for open proposals in the  tender logic with the participation of investors, having previously  made sure of their financial capabilities and experience in the field  of construction. "After which we will hold a vote on certain  criteria, which I propose to develop already," he said.

The "Cascade Cultural Hub" project is a combination of stone, water  and greenery, which is also consonant with the concept of the Museum  of Modern Art, which, as previously stated, will be moved from  Mashtots Avenue to the territory of the Cascade complex. In  particular, the museum will have observation decks with views of the  city, Mount Ararat, the Mother Armenia and 50th Anniversary of the  October Revolution monuments. The museum project also includes  restaurants, new cultural venues related to art, music and cinema,  open-air halls and many other public spaces. The staircase and  escalator that, according to the project, run through the center of  the museum will connect with important symbols of Armenia.

After the earthquake of 1988, the project to build the architectural  and monumental complex "Cascade" was suspended. In 2002, the City  Hall signed an agreement with the American philanthropist Gerard  Cafesjian, which provided for the restoration of the Complex. In the  same year, by decision of the Mayor of Yerevan, the unfinished  section of the complex "Cascade" was transferred to the "Cafesjian  Museum" foundation with the right of ownership. Cafesjian's idea was  exceptional: he intended to improve the territory, put escalators  into operation and use the center as a cultural center. In 2009, the  improvement was completed, the Art Center was opened, but the  "Cascade" still remained unfinished. Today, the territory rising from  the "Cascade" to Azatutyan Avenue is in an abandoned state. The main  reason is the death of the philanthropist.