In November 2021, our organization, ANO "Premiya kota Borisa", began an active search for a place to establish its headquarters. We were not striving for luxury, but for a decent space in the heart of Krasnoyarsk, where we could be closer to the people and observe real city life. The idea was simple: to find an abandoned historic building, restore it with our own efforts, and give it a second life.
Strolling through the city and dreams of revival
Walking through the streets of Krasnoyarsk, it's impossible not to notice many pre-revolutionary buildings, unfortunately, in a deplorable state. Collapsed roofs, broken windows, sunken foundations—many of these architectural monuments are either waiting for their time or are doomed to oblivion. Inspired by the example of the restored "Historical Quarter" street, where buildings were given a second life and became a decoration of the city, we thought: why not take responsibility for one of these structures?
Appealing to the authorities and an unexpected response
The chairman of our organization, Alexander Pankratov, sent an official letter to the governor of the Krasnoyarsk region, Alexander Uss, proposing to lease an abandoned historic building for restoration and subsequent purchase. We believed that our proposal would resonate with the authorities, as this was a chance to preserve part of the city's history without involving public funds.
However, instead of support, we received a response from the Joint-Stock Company "Historical Quarter." As it turned out, recently, all the architectural monuments that were in state ownership were transferred to this JSC. Therefore, the governor's administration redirected our letter to them. Despite our initial optimism, subsequent events revealed the full extent of bureaucratic arbitrariness.
The choice of the building and the confrontation with harsh reality.
The current state of the site. View of the intersection of Mira Avenue and Perenson Street. Photo by N. V. Mozhaitseva. 26.03.2019 г.
Try looking through the windows, and you'll see a missing floor and a hole in the roof... a depressing sight.
At a meeting with a representative of JSC "Historical Quarter," we were offered two options:
A small two-story building on Markovskogo Street, 27, where Lenin once lived and which is now on the verge of collapse.
The former Noble Assembly building on Mira Avenue, 67 — a historical monument where the Krasnoyarsk Council of Workers', Soldiers', and Peasants' Deputies met in 1917.
The Noble Assembly building. Civil War period.
We chose the building on Mira Avenue, 67, inspired by its history and potential. According to the proposed agreement, we were to lease the building for 311,019 rubles per year, carry out a full restoration at our own expense, and after five years, gain the right to purchase it for 3,239,781 rubles. Despite the significant financial investments, we were ready to accept these terms to preserve the historical monument.
However, upon closer examination of the contract, we discovered several conditions that made the project impossible:
Oppressive lease terms: we were required to carry out the restoration at our own expense, but all improvements would not be reimbursed if the contract was terminated. The lessor had the right to unilaterally terminate the contract at the slightest violation, without any compensation on our part.
Imposition of expensive contractors: JSC "Historical Quarter" insisted on using certain "licensed" contractors authorized to work with cultural heritage monuments. Their services, according to statistics, cost two to two and a half times more than the market average. We were encouraged to use their recommendations, which significantly increased the project's budget.
Limitation of our rights: we were not allowed to make any changes without the written consent of the lessor, which could delay deadlines and complicate the restoration process.
When we tried to discuss the possibility of adjusting the contract and selecting more affordable contractors, we were shown the door. Instead of cooperation, we encountered a bureaucratic apparatus uninterested in genuinely preserving historical heritage.
European Experience: How It Should Be
In Europe, there are numerous examples of successful restoration of historical buildings involving private organizations and public initiatives. There, the authorities are genuinely interested in preserving cultural heritage and actively support such projects:
Germany: abandoned castles and estates are leased for a symbolic fee with the condition of restoration and maintenance. Tenants are given the freedom to choose contractors and materials, as long as historical standards are met.
France: the government collaborates with private investors by providing grants and subsidies. Approval procedures are simplified, and bureaucratic obstacles are minimized.
Italy: historic buildings are leased for 1 euro on the condition that they are restored and opened to the public. This approach attracts many investors and enthusiasts from around the world.
Such a policy not only preserves architectural monuments but also stimulates the economy, attracts tourists, and strengthens the cultural identity of regions.
Why This Is Important for Us and the City
Historical buildings are not just stones and bricks. They are memories of the past, of the people who lived and created here before us. They shape the unique image of the city and are its soul.
We wanted to turn the building on Mira Avenue, 67 into a cultural center with a coffee shop, dance halls, training rooms, and event spaces. A place where residents and visitors of Krasnoyarsk could spend time, learn about the city's history, and create new memories. Without a single ruble of government funds, we were ready to invest our efforts and resources into this project.
A Missed Opportunity and Bitter Conclusions
Unfortunately, due to bureaucracy and the imposition of unfavorable conditions, we were forced to abandon our dream. The building continues to deteriorate, and the city loses another monument of its history.
We learned that we are not the first to face such a situation. Investors from China, who restored a building on Karl Marx Street, also fell victim to bureaucratic arbitrariness. After investing tens of millions of rubles and nearly completing the restoration, their contract was terminated for spurious reasons.
What Needs to Change: A Call to Action
We believe that such a situation is unacceptable. If the authorities are truly interested in preserving historical heritage, it is necessary to:
Develop transparent and fair terms for the lease and purchase of historical buildings that will encourage investors and public organizations to take responsibility for their restoration.
Abandon the imposition of specific contractors: allow tenants to choose developers independently, provided all cultural heritage standards are followed.
Simplify bureaucratic procedures and shorten approval times to avoid hindering restoration work.
Provide support and benefits to those willing to invest their resources in preserving historical monuments.
Conclusion
ANO "Premiya kota Borisa" remains true to its mission—to support cultural initiatives and fight for the preservation of Krasnoyarsk's historical heritage. We are not giving up and hope that our words will resonate with concerned citizens and government representatives.
Let bureaucracy and indifference not become obstacles to the revival of our city. Let’s work together to preserve history for future generations.
Note: When you pass by abandoned historical buildings in Krasnoyarsk, remember: they could have had a second life. But for now, bureaucracy and arbitrariness are putting roadblocks in the way of those ready to act. We believe that change is possible if we unite efforts and speak out about the problems.
Today, bureaucracy is what hinders the preservation of Krasnoyarsk’s history!
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