Tbilisi: The Regional Development and Infrastructure Ministry of Georgia announced the completion of 75% Dusheti Urban Renewal project. The new company that was assigned to the job in April 2021 expects to complete the project by the end of this year.
The urban renewal project of Dusheti, with the financial support of the World Bank, was started in 2017. The first phase of the project was completed in 2018 and included a complete rehabilitation of the central park of Dusheti.
The second phase of the project, which involved rehabilitation-restoration and redevelopment of 40 homes near the city’s Central Park, began in late November 2018. The works were performed by the winning company in Teder held in accordance with the rules of the International Financial Institute.
 Because the company was unable to fulfil its contractual obligations, its February 2020 contract was unilaterally terminated, and the company was fined.
 A new construction company has been selected in a tender announced by the International Financial Organization to complete the rehabilitation works of five houses that started. The new company began work in April 2021, and the contract is expected to be completed in December this year. Currently, 75% of the work is completed.
For the restoration and rehabilitation of 35 houses under the 3rd phase of the project, a contract was signed with the new tender-winning company in December 2021. The company could only begin work in phases starting July 17, 2022, as it took some time to complete other essential procedural issues, as agreed-upon temporary housing with the population. At this stage, the contractor has completed work on 22 homes and has continued to retrieve the project-specific area.
As for the Iliasian Court building, which was the highlight of the plot, its rehabilitation is being envisaged under an ongoing contract, with a deadline of completion in 2023. The building is privately owned and the commencement of works will require the joint consent of the private owners, the acquisition of which was stalled due to a private disagreement.
 As a result of active negotiations produced by the Fund of Municipal Development of Georgia, written consent from the owners has been accepted at this stage. The project documentation was also agreed with the National Agency for Protection of Cultural Heritage of Georgia.
