Armenian Seismologist Speaks Against Plan To Build Persian Tower In Downtown Yerevan
02.12.2011,
22:37
An Armenian seismologist spoke today against plans to build the so-called Persian Tower in downtown Yerevan designed as a 50-storey hotel.
YEREVAN, December 2. /ARKA/. An Armenian seismologist spoke today against plans to build the so-called Persian Tower in downtown Yerevan designed as a 50-storey hotel.
Vladimir Balasanian, an independent seismologist, speaking at a news conference, said he and his colleagues are categorically against the construction of the hotel in Yerevan, particularly, and in Armenia in general because a strong earthquake would collapse it and destroy all nearby structures.
Balasanian said the hotel is supposed to be built by Iranians who are unaware of Armenia’s seismic risks. Mkrtich Miansian, head of the Union of Armenian Architects, also spoke against this plan urging the government to take action against the plan.
The tower is supposed to be constructed on a land plot between Moskva cinema house and the building of the Union of Artists of Armenia. The land plot formerly belonged to the Union of Artists, but since the 90s has been resold several times and now is owned by an Iranian company Tidas International that resumes form time to time the talk about plans to build the hotel.
Earlier the Union of Architects said it was ready to ask president Serzh Sargsyan and the National Assembly to block the decision, as well as initiate a public debate on this issue. Mkrtich Minasian expressed hope that the municipality of Yerevan will reconsider the previously issued permit and will prohibit the construction of the Persian Tower. -0-
Vladimir Balasanian, an independent seismologist, speaking at a news conference, said he and his colleagues are categorically against the construction of the hotel in Yerevan, particularly, and in Armenia in general because a strong earthquake would collapse it and destroy all nearby structures.
Balasanian said the hotel is supposed to be built by Iranians who are unaware of Armenia’s seismic risks. Mkrtich Miansian, head of the Union of Armenian Architects, also spoke against this plan urging the government to take action against the plan.
The tower is supposed to be constructed on a land plot between Moskva cinema house and the building of the Union of Artists of Armenia. The land plot formerly belonged to the Union of Artists, but since the 90s has been resold several times and now is owned by an Iranian company Tidas International that resumes form time to time the talk about plans to build the hotel.
Earlier the Union of Architects said it was ready to ask president Serzh Sargsyan and the National Assembly to block the decision, as well as initiate a public debate on this issue. Mkrtich Minasian expressed hope that the municipality of Yerevan will reconsider the previously issued permit and will prohibit the construction of the Persian Tower. -0-
