Kharkiv will spend over 100 million hryvnias on the waterfront despite ongoing shelling
While Kharkiv is being hit daily by guided bombs and rocket attacks, city officials have launched a large-scale renovation of the waterfront costing over 100 million hryvnias.
The corresponding tender on the Prozorro platform sparked outrage among volunteers and local residents, who consider such spending inappropriate during wartime.
According to the published documentation, the project involves not only cosmetic repairs but also a complete redesign of the space, including the replacement of underground utilities.
The work plan includes resurfacing the roadway, creating a pedestrian zone along the Lopanska Embankment, and installing bollards and tactile paving.
In addition to visual improvements, a significant portion of the funds will go toward engineering infrastructure: installing a drainage system and relocating communication and power lines.
Plans also include the installation of new lighting poles and the deployment of a modern video surveillance network throughout the entire reconstruction site.
All work on this project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027, reflecting the city government’s long-term plans for the redevelopment of this frontline city.
This involves a comprehensive reconstruction of the Lopanska Embankment and the alley of the same name, followed by the development of a pedestrian zone.
According to the Kharkiv Anti-Corruption Center, the total amount the city plans to allocate for the embankment reaches 255 million hryvnias.
Experts note that part of the pedestrian zone for which funds are currently being allocated was actually already open to visitors by the end of 2025.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov justifies these expenditures by the need to maintain the morale of city residents and prevent them from leaving.
“We don’t want to be a scorched earth. And for us today, to keep people here, we need to provide them with better services. We need to ensure they have a good mood and positive emotions,” the mayor said.
As a reminder, Kharkiv endured over 700 Russian attacks and more than 100 days of constant alarm in 2025.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov also reported that over 40 residential buildings in Kharkiv have been completely destroyed and cannot be restored—they must simply be demolished.
