Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

[KarotheGreat]

Re: Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

If it was built with private money then yes. We have no right to tell someone what to do with their money. Now I know you will say they stole it but that has to be conclusively proven. And I would not be surprised if they did, however, until there is irrefutable proof that they did steal the monies used to construct the hotel, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Now please answer my original question. What business ought they to create? And when thinking of an answer, please also think of who and where their market will be.

First thing that could be done is the restoration of the textile industry, the experience and the knowledge is still in the city. During the SU days Leninakan was the textile capital of the whole Caucasus. Then we can move to the production of small arm that can be exported all over the world. It's a billion dollar business worldwide, I think only drugs and financial market is bigger. Anything would have been better than a hotel that most Armenians cannot use and is ugly as hell.

The real question, that every patriot should ask is: how can a mayor in Armenia afford to build a hotel like this?

[Armanen]

Re: Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

Any major developments outside of Yerevan? It's not good that all tourism money is going to the capital IMO. I'm sure that, for example, Jermuk would generate lots of foreign interest if infrastructure was developed.

They are building up Dilijan to be a financial hub, and plan to transfer some government offices there in a few years. Jermuk, they have built rest homes and spas, but they are too expensive for most locals to vacation there. The joke is that average Armenians vacation outside of Armenia, while the wealthy vacation in Armenia.

[davidoga]

Re: Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

Any major developments outside of Yerevan? It's not good that all tourism money is going to the capital IMO. I'm sure that, for example, Jermuk would generate lots of foreign interest if infrastructure was developed.

[Armanen]

Re: Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

Are you really trying to defend the building of this hotel?

If it was built with private money then yes. We have no right to tell someone what to do with their money. Now I know you will say they stole it but that has to be conclusively proven. And I would not be surprised if they did, however, until there is irrefutable proof that they did steal the monies used to construct the hotel, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Now please answer my original question. What business ought they to create? And when thinking of an answer, please also think of who and where their market will be.

[KarotheGreat]

Re: Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

I am curious to know, what business should have been set up with the money spent on the Alexandropol hotel? For a business to function one of the ingredients are markets.

Are you really trying to defend the building of this hotel?

[Armanen]

Re: Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

I am curious to know, what business should have been set up with the money spent on the Alexandropol hotel? For a business to function one of the ingredients are markets.

[Mher]

Re: Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

Erm ... where are the disabled? I don't see anyone in those photos!

I only took these after I was done with work and on my way out, when the children had already left, I'll add more pictures in a few days

Thanks for sharing the pics Mher!

Youre welcome aper

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

I hope you are kidding me, as a native from Leninakan I only see the destruction of the city by Vartanig. If you guys thought Dodi and his ilk were bad you don't know Vartan. And they cannot finish renovating a church for 20 years but can build a 5 star hotel in 1 year. I'm willing to bet that most of the money for the technopark is foreign charity, but we have more than enough money for hotels and ugly mansions.

If the rebuilding of the church had been quick it would have ended up looking as dreadful as those ugly hotels and mansions. As it is, it is probably going to be a reasonable copy of what it looked like before the destruction. I feel that it probably would have been better to leave it in ruins, perhaps as part of a park, to serve as a permanent monument to those who died in the earthquake - but I guess those living in Gyumri would not have wanted to be faced with such a visual reminder every day.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

Not a new or future project, but a very unique and interesting place:

Gyumri Pyunic Association for the Disabled

Erm ... where are the disabled? I don't see anyone in those photos!

[KarotheGreat]

Re: Armenia: Future Projects and Developments

unfortunately you are right
things are much more difficult here than Yerevan. I hear people here talking about Yerevan the way people in Yerevan talk about Moscow/Los Angeles
At the technopark construction site, the head civil engineer was saying how he will probably leave for Russia for good during the winter because he can no longer support his family here (this coming for someone who is likely one of the best at what he does in the city). Furthermore, he was explaining how one of the construction workers was a licensed civil engineer himself with much experience, but can't find a job and had to do what he could to support his family

btw your comment about the hotel being built in one year really hit home
first time i walked past it I was shocked, because it was only a few months before that when I had seen the concept and computer rendering of it on this forum, and I thought I must have been remembering wrong because it couldn't have possibility been built that fast.

During the SU times Leninakan was the humour capital of Armenia, all the great comedians and many other artists and musicians came from Armenia like Frunzig. However today you have a population that does not even smile, from what I hear, hope has died in the city.
It doesn't surprise me that he is going to leave the country and the city, the city is literately emptying. An other ten years and it can turn into a ghost town with only Vartanig and his relatives and two other powerful families.
For me, to hear all those things about my home city where I was born and have some of the best memories of my life, is very very difficult.