Tbilisi Mayor backs demolition of Rike Concert Hall

Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has defended the planned demolition of the Rike Concert Hall, commonly known as the Rike Jugs, and said he expected one of the city’s best projects to be developed at the site.

Kaladze said the privately owned building had remained unused for years, was in poor condition and had become a dumping ground.

He said the owner had decided to demolish the building and that Tbilisi City Hall’s Architecture Service issued a permit after all architectural requirements were met and the process was agreed with the Cultural Heritage Protection Council.

“The appearance of a building is generally a matter of taste, but it did not fit into the existing environment at all,” Kaladze said.

He said the owner would submit a new development proposal to the municipality after the demolition, adding that no plans had yet been presented.

“This is a site of considerable importance, and the project must fit its surroundings. I am confident that, with the involvement of specialists, one of the best projects in the city will be implemented,” Kaladze said.

Asked why the building had remained unused for years, Kaladze questioned whether it had been appropriate to spend 75 million on the project in 2011 when Georgia faced serious social and economic problems.

“Was it right to spend 75 million on some ill-considered project? It was the people’s money,” he said.