"It's too late to comment"

Vladimir Resin believes in the market, but follows the decree of the capital government

Moscow authorities do not expect a sharp increase in prices for housing in the capital in the near future. However, the mayor’s office is also not counting on their sharp decline. This was stated yesterday by the head of the Complex of Architecture, Construction, Development and Reconstruction of the city, Vladimir Resin. “It is advisable, where possible, to remain at least within the existing prices,” Mr. Resin noted. The head of the capital's construction complex sees the basis for stabilizing prices or even their slight reduction in the growth of construction volumes, not in Moscow, but in the regions. “Then demand in Moscow will decrease,” he believes, “and prices may decline.”

The fact that the growth of construction in the city does not reduce the number of Muscovites in need of improved housing conditions has long been worrying the authorities. However, attempts by administrative methods to provide indigenous residents with preferences when purchasing apartments do not seem to be too encouraging for both the builders and the manager of the construction complex. Mr. Resin avoided answering the question of what he thinks about the recently adopted city program “Affordable Housing for Muscovites,” which, in essence, forces developers to give preference when selling apartments to holders of permanent metropolitan registration. “What to comment on? It was necessary to comment before the resolution was adopted, but now it has been adopted. I am a member of the government, and not an ordinary one, and I must carry it out!” - that’s all he said.

However, he still made it clear that administrative resources are not always effective. “Measures to reduce prices are determined not by the Moscow government, but by the market,” recalled Vladimir Resin. “But to make this situation possible, we increase the volume of construction every year.” According to him, in January alone, the established housing construction plan was completed by 101% compared to the same figure last year. In general, Mr. Resin referred to data according to which over the past 18 years, about 69 million square meters have been built in Moscow. m of housing, that is, a third of the existing housing stock, which now amounts to about 200 million square meters. m.

True, lately builders have not limited themselves to housing. “We are now paying more and more attention to the birth rate!” - Mr. Resin noted, talking about the unique maternity hospital that had just been commissioned in Zelenograd, as well as 100 new kindergartens and 22 new schools. In 2007, according to him, it is planned to build not only 5 million square meters in Moscow. m of housing, but also more than 20 schools, and more than 100 kindergartens.

In addition, work on the construction of the fourth transport ring and the reconstruction of one of the main city highways - Bolshaya Leningradka - will be in full swing. The fourth ring, which is designed to relieve the existing three, was described by Vladimir Resin as “the same complex object as the Third, which also goes through a “living place” and involves a huge amount of demolition, the construction of tunnels, overpasses and many other structures.”

And finally, the head of the construction complex promised that in 2007 the reconstruction of objects that belong to those buildings that determine the appearance of the city will be completed - in particular, the buildings of the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve, the Moscow Hotel, Voentorg.

Irina BELASHEVA