Ilsur Metshin has held a meeting with representatives of the construction industry on measures to support business

The city authorities indicated their willingness to support developers on a number of issues, but found it impossible to halt public discussions.

Today, as part of the anti-crisis headquarters, Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin has held a meeting with representatives of the construction industry. The heads of large construction companies gathered behind a round table in the Urban Design Center of the Kazan State University of Architecture. The most acute issues facing the construction industry were discussed at the meeting.

“To preserve the construction industry, it is necessary to open escrow accounts and allow business to work according the previous procedure”

“We are holding this meeting to know firsthand the present state of the construction industry, which is one of the key drivers of the urban economy,”- said Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, opening the discussion.

“Our legislators several years ago removed from municipalities the right and obligation to monitor the construction work in the city. However, you and I are well aware that in case of problems, people complain and seek the truth in the city authorities. So the sustainability of the construction industry, the preservation of its potential, the launch and implementation of new projects, the development of urban infrastructure are our common priorities”, - the Mayor stressed.

The deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Ilya Volfson announced a number of initiatives during the meeting. He noted that in order to support the construction industry, the State Duma has already adopted two packages of amendments to 20 federal laws.

The State Duma deputy also spoke about the current work of the relevant Duma committee. “Today, for the development and preservation of the construction industry, first of all, it is necessary to lower the key rates of preferential mortgages, open escrow accounts and allow businesses to work according to the previous procedures this year without procurement of extremely expensive bank financing”, - said I.Volfson.

In turn, the first deputy head of the Executive Committee, Azat Nigmatzyanov, noted that reliable developers under the guarantee of the republic should be temporarily allowed to work without escrow accounts.

The validity of a number of documents can be extended

After being informed of the federal measures to support the industry, the participants of the round table proceeded to discuss measures that could be taken at the municipal level. Emil Khusnutdinov, Deputy of the Tatarstan State Council, Director General of OOO Group of Companies “ZhIK of the city of Kazan”, noted that the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning of the Executive Committee of Kazan issue a warrant for excavation works for 12 months. “Such a period is not enough, preferably this warrant to be issued for at least 18 months”, - he said.

The Mayor of Kazan instructed the head of the Executive Committee Rustem Gafarov and his first deputy Azat Nigmatzyanov to take this issue under control.

In addition, Emil Khusnutdinov proposed to organize consultative days in the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning to speed up the approval of a number of documents.

The head of the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning Andrey Lobov noted that work in this direction is underway, but it would involve an increase of staff and working areas. The Mayor instructed to find a solution.

“We cannot abandon public discussions of significant city decisions”

Andrey Belyakov, Director of OOO Briz, made a proposal to halt public discussions with residents of the city during the period of economic instability.

Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, noted that the city authorities do not consider a complete rejection of public discussions. “However, it is possible to refuse from public discussions of minor issues, such as deviation from the limit parameters. We will address our colleagues from the republican government, I think we will find a solution to this issue”, - I.Metshin said.

At the same time, the head of the city drew attention to the fact that it is possible to reduce the timing of public discussions.

“It is impossible to expand the city without parking lots, so residential complexes will not be built without them”

Leonid Anisimov, Director General of OOO Gran, suggested postponing the requirement for mandatory commissioning of new residential buildings including the parking lots for several years due to the present economic situation, as this leads to large financial costs.

The Mayor of the capital of the republic of Tatarstan did not agree with this position. At the same time, the Mayor noted that it is possible to revise city regulations concerning the number of parking lots per residential building, and supported the proposal of developers that one parking space should be allocated for 80-sq.m housing, not for 75 sq.m of as now.

In conclusion, the Mayor thanked the participants of the round table. “I am sure that thanks to the stability of the economy of Tatarstan, the ability to work and respond to challenges in a timely manner, with the support of Tatarstan President, we will maintain our leadership positions in the construction industry”, - the head of the city noted.