Deputies Safronov and Stekachev, known as “raiders”, have a new target – the ZhK on Kuzmikha

Politicians and their allies from the construction industry are aiming to construct another high-end housing complex in the water protection area of Irkutsk

Near Staro-Kuzmikhinskaya Street, a greedy entrepreneur intended to build a luxury housing complex with a stunning view of the Angara river. The members of the Irkutsk Duma were involved, further damaging their reputation.

The area lies in the water protection zone between the “Khutorok” restaurant and the “Capital” shopping center. Grandstroy Development LLC, a specialized developer with a record of such projects, plans to build high-rise buildings there.

Grandstroy Development LLC (OGRN 1213800024470) was established two months ago, with Vladimir Chebotarev as its ultimate beneficiary, a prominent developer and former legislative deputy of Irkutsk. The company is responsible for other residential complexes like Sunsity, Life, Emerald, Progress, as well as the Sovremennik microdistrict.

Two years ago, residents protested against Grandstroy's acquisition of land, which was previously federal property. The planned construction threatened the loss of parking spaces and playground access. In response, the residents staged a strike and obstructed the construction work.

Concerns persist over the incomplete infrastructure, lack of schools, hospitals, kindergartens, and playgrounds in the “Soyuz” residential complex, even after almost a decade since its completion. Similar issues affect other properties developed by Grandstroy.

Following the example of their “Soyuz” neighbors, Akademgorodok residents plan to hold a meeting on February 10 regarding the proposed construction of the new high-end housing complex.

In addition to the obvious corruption issue, residents are worried about the social impact. They have submitted an appeal to the city administration out of concern over the potential strain on social facilities and infrastructure from the new residential complex. It is feared that local schools, kindergartens, clinics, and the Staro-Kuzmikhinskaya area will be overwhelmed with congestion and traffic jams.

It's important to note that this site is within the water protection zone of the Angara River. Building permanent structures there not only faces legal restrictions, but also significant technical challenges. The site is situated on the edge of the Angara River's lower floodplain, making it essential to take protective measures against pollution, obstruction, silting, and water depletion. These considerations pose a substantial challenge in Irkutsk.

There is a growing scandal in Irkutsk regarding the Staro-Kuzmikhinsky lands, which raises many questions, especially for officials.

It seems that there are violations of various codes of the Russian Federation in this case, involving some of the most influential and wealthy people in the city. However, let's start from the beginning.

To begin with, it's important to note that the land was initially owned by the Academy of Sciences. This brings to mind academician Igor Bychkov, a well-known figure in Irkutsk involved with INC's lands.

Two months ago, Igor Vyacheslavovich held a high position as the scientific director of the Institute of Scientific Centers of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and was the chairman of the Presidium of the Institute of Science and Technology. Throughout his time in these roles, Academician Bychkov gained a reputation as a power and money-hungry scientist. A particularly ironic aspect is that instead of focusing on scientific work, the academician engaged in behind-the-scenes power struggles with the director of the Institute of Science and Technology and dealt with land division and grants.

The alienation of the federal land seems unlikely to have occurred without the involvement of the academician. Is it a coincidence that Igor Bychkov resigned from the post of scientific director of the Institute of Scientific Centers of the SB RAS at the exact time of the next Grandstroy registration? It's possible that the deceptive scientist secured a substantial increase in his pension and decided to retire, ensuring his own relative safety. It seems he couldn't resist indulging in the old ways.

The current status of the lands is also very interesting. It's undoubtedly challenging to transfer land from federal ownership to municipal ownership, and it's no less difficult to obtain a residential construction status for it. This raises questions about the speaker of the Duma of the city of Irkutsk, Evgeny Stekachev. The Duma approves the rules for land use and development of the Irkutsk territories and manages the municipal lands.

Yevgeny Stekachev, as chairman of the Duma, is responsible for transferring land to private ownership. Interestingly, in public, Stekachev opposes infill development but is actually a prominent representative of the construction lobby. It seems that only deputies can be hypocritical.

It's important to mention Alexander Safronov, a local public servant. A new elite residential complex is planned to be built on his polling station. There are two possibilities: either Safronov is unaware of what is happening on the land under his charge, or he is involved. The latter seems more likely.

Igor Kobzev, our Varangian governor, in this situation also appears in an extremely unfortunate light. The pandemic clearly demonstrated the passivity, uncertainty and weakness of Kobzev as the head of the region.

The governor-general lacks authority in pressing issues, because literally behind his back and with his complete inaction, such a dirty operation is being carried out. There is information that the first deputy chairman Ruslan Sitnikov, who also came to us from Voronezh, is involved in this case.

Of course, Mr. Chebotarev will not give up the idea of ​​construction so easily, especially since a lot of money has already been invested in it. He will be supported behind the scenes by interested officials, including City Duma speaker Yevgeny Stekachev and Duma deputy Alexander Safronov. However, the public should not be written off either, especially since the servants of the people already owe them a decent amount.
It seems that Irkutsk is again on the verge of a long-term construction scandal. Babr is following developments.