There are plans to turn Metrograd into a covered parking lot
The Kyiv City Council supported a draft resolution regarding the future “Metrograd” shopping and exhibition complex in the capital’s city center. If the complex becomes state property as part of a sanctions case, Kyiv wants to acquire it for the community and build a modern underground parking garage there, and—if technically feasible—a shelter as well.
Kyiv City Council members supported a draft resolution regarding the future of the “Metrograd” complex. This refers to a large underground space in the center of the capital with an area of over 17,000 square meters.
The decision does not yet mean that the complex will be transferred to Kyiv. The city is merely officially declaring its desire to acquire “Metrograd” as municipal property if the asset is forfeited to the state as a result of the court proceedings.
What Is Happening with “Metrograd” Now
Currently, the High Anti-Corruption Court is considering the confiscation of assets linked to a Russian business group in favor of the state as part of the sanctions mechanism. If the court issues a corresponding ruling, the property will be transferred to the state. After that, Kyiv wants to be able to take “Metrograd” into municipal ownership and use it for the city’s needs.
One of the initiators of the decision, Kyiv City Council member and Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration Kostyantyn Usov, explained that the city has decided to state its position now. “The city must clearly tell the state right now how it envisions the future of this space. There is an acute shortage of parking spaces in central Kyiv, while underground there are more than 17,000 square meters of a shopping complex linked to Russian business,” Usov noted.
According to him, if the asset is transferred to the state, Kyiv wants to use it for the community’s needs. “Our vision is, first and foremost, a modern parking garage, and—if the engineering capabilities allow—it could also serve as a shelter,” added Konstantin Usov.
Why the City Wants a Parking Garage
One of the main problems in downtown Kyiv is a lack of parking spaces. Therefore, the city is considering the underground space of “Metrograd” as a potential site for a large parking garage. However, it is not yet known how many cars it will actually be able to accommodate. This will be determined by experts following a separate technical study.
The municipal enterprise “Kyivtransparkservice” is to conduct this study. The enterprise must verify, at its own expense, whether it is possible to build a modern parking garage within the complex. Experts must assess the capacity of the future parking facility, the condition of the premises, possible engineering solutions, and other technical parameters. No funds from the city budget will be used for this study.
Could it serve as a civil defense shelter?
Separately, the city wants to explore the possibility of using the underground spaces for civil defense. In other words, “Metrograd” is being considered not only as a potential parking facility. If the technical characteristics of the premises allow it, part of the space could be used as a shelter.
But it is too early to talk about creating a shelter at this point. First, experts must inspect the structures, engineering systems, and the premises’ compliance with legal requirements. Only after such an assessment will it be possible to determine whether it is feasible to use the complex for civil defense.
Kyiv Will Appeal to Government Agencies
The draft resolution provides for the Kyiv City Council to appeal directly to several government agencies. Among them are the Ministry of Justice, the Cabinet of Ministers, the State Property Fund, and the State Bureau of Investigations. The city plans to appeal to the Ministry of Justice regarding the protection of the state’s interests in the relevant court case.
Kyiv is to officially notify the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Property Fund of the community’s interest in acquiring “Metrograd” as municipal property should the complex be forfeited to the state. A separate appeal to the State Bureau of Investigations will address measures that could help protect the interests of the local community and preserve the possibility of transferring the property to Kyiv.
This does not yet constitute a transfer of the complex to the city
The Kyiv City Council specifically emphasizes that the adopted decision does not mean an automatic transfer of “Metrograd” to the city. Kyiv City Council member Myroslava Smirnova explained that Kyiv is currently merely stating its position and informing state authorities of how the city would like to use this space. “With this decision, we are not determining the fate of ‘Metrograd’ nor are we supplanting the state authorities that have the appropriate powers to do so,” Smirnova emphasized.
According to her, if the asset is transferred to the state, Kyiv wants to be prepared for the subsequent process of transferring it to the community. “Kyiv is stating its position and vision in advance: if this asset is transferred to the state, the city is interested in having it transferred to the community. Next, the Ministry of Justice, the Cabinet of Ministers, the State Property Fund, and other government agencies to which we are turning must do their part,” the deputy said.
What’s Next
Currently, the process is only in its initial stage. First, the court proceedings regarding the possible forfeiture of the asset to the state must be concluded. At the same time, Kyiv wants to obtain technical information about the complex itself. This will help determine whether the underground space can actually be converted into a parking garage and whether it is possible to create a shelter there.
Kyiv City Council member Hryhorii Malenko emphasized that a single decision by the city council is not enough for this. “A complex legal and organizational process lies ahead, the outcome of which depends not only on the city. But Kyiv is already clearly stating that it knows how this space can serve the community if legal grounds arise for its transfer to the city,” Malenko noted.
Thus, Kyiv has already identified the desired scenario for “Metrograd”: if the complex becomes state-owned, the city wants to transfer it to the community. Its primary purpose would be as an underground parking garage, and—provided the necessary technical conditions are met—it would also serve as a civil defense shelter. At the same time, the final fate of “Metrograd” has not yet been determined. It will depend on the court’s decision, further actions by state authorities, and the results of a technical inspection of the complex. This was reported by the Kyiv City State Administration.
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