"Save Sofia" supported the protest against the planned development on the municipal terrain next to the “Al. Teodorov-Balan“ metro station in the center of Mladost. Hundreds of Mladost residents came out to oppose yet another outrage and the uncontrolled overdevelopment that has been suffocating the area for years.
“The scheme is obvious – on one of the last green spaces in Mladost, right next to the metro station, instead of a municipal park or cultural space, a huge 22-story residential building will be built. These are 22 floors of corruption to the detriment of the public interest,” said Boris Bonev, leader of “Save Sofia”.
The municipal councilors recalled that the Sofia Municipality owns 93% of the land, and only 7% is privately owned, which allows the municipality to protect the interests of citizens and prevent this huge overdevelopment. “This is a rare case in which the municipality has control over such an appetizing land. The property should be used for something useful for citizens - a park, a concert hall, a sports or cultural center. Instead, the economic majority in the SOS - GERB, BSP, ITN and their partners - decided that “Mladost” needs another 22 floors of concrete,” added Bonev.
From “Save Sofia” are categorical that "Mladost" already suffers from overbuilding, lack of green spaces, shortage of places in kindergartens, traffic jams and struggle for insufficient parking spaces. According to them, the implementation of such a mastodon will attract thousands of new residents and cars, more traffic jams and even greater pressure on the infrastructure. “Mladost" is a region the size of Stara Zagora, but it has neither a large park nor a modern cultural or sports center. This municipal terrain is the last chance to implement a park, a sports center, or whatever the citizens of "Mladost" decide on a transparent public discussion. That is why we will not allow this place to be lost,” said the municipal councilor from "Save Sofia", Andrey Zografski.
The party insists that Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev urgently return the decision for a new consideration to the Municipal Council and organize a public discussion with the residents of Mladost and all Sofia residents about the future of the terrain. “The mayor bears direct responsibility for the urban planning of Sofia and it is high time that he clearly stands on the side of the citizens and normal European urban planning.” said Boris Bonev.
"Save Sofia" announced that they will not give up the fight against the development. “We will block Mladost as many times as necessary and we will not allow this latest outrage, which causes irreparable harm to our city.” concluded Bonev.