Works of construction of new headquarters of U.S. Embassy on ground of former republican stadium of Moldova declared public utility

The works of construction of the new headquarters of the U.S. Embassy in Moldova on the ground of the former republican stadium will be declared public utility of national interest. The cabinet approved a decision to this end today.

Under the provisions of the project, the ground, presently owned by the state, hosts constructions belonging to private owners and the initiative approved by the government is necessary, in order to facilitate their expropriation. The Public Property Agency (APP) informed that, through the recognition of the project as public utility, the government would be able to initiate the procedure of expropriation, with the observance of the rights of the owners of real estate.

„The expropriation procedure will be carried out strictly in accordance with the legislation and the good practices and the expropriated people will receive a just compensation paid by Moldova’s government, which will be subsequently reimbursed by the U.S. Government,’’ APP director Roman Cojuhari said at the cabinet meeting.

Following the law’s adoption, the technical stages will start, needed for the transfer of the ground to the American side. At the same time, in line with the bilateral agreement, the USA will build a park on a part of the ground and the access of the public will be guaranteed. Also, the gates of the former stadium will be restored and preserved as symbol of the history of this place.

The draft law is to be submitted to parliament for consideration and adoption.

The agreement with the Government of the United States on the purchasing of the property for the new headquarters of the diplomatic mission was ratified by Moldova’s parliament in last summer. Under the draft, the diplomatic campus of the USA, as well as a public park will be constructed on the area of the former republican stadium in the centre of Moldova’s capital, placed on the Tighina Street 12.

Thus, the ground with an area of about 5.2 hectares, which has been fallow land for 17 years, will be revitalized; the historical gates of the former stadium are to be restored, public art installations and a new park are to be arranged. The American authorities commit to create also open areas for the wide public and the investments announced will be of about 250 million dollars.

The authorities said that the ground’s purchasing price had been negotiated in accordance with the provisions of the Law on the onerous or gratuitous delivery of a real estate asset. The latter is worth 18 million euros. The concerned money will allocated by the authorities for the carrying out of important projects, such as the repair of more schools, designing of the future national stadium and the creation of Universul (The Univers) Centre of Contemporary Culture and Art. Also, the USA will reimburse expenses worth up to 7.5 million euros related to the transfer of the plot of land with vacant possession, including any payments concerning the expropriation and its release from any constructions.