Chisinau chief architect seeks to rebuild Hasdeu Library

Chisinau’s chief architect, Vladimir Modarca, pleads for the total reconstruction of the “Bogdan Petriceicu Hasdeu” Library’s building, even if the official documents label it as a historical monument and the General City Plan prohibits the reconstruction of the architectural monuments. Modarca said at Wednesday’s meeting of the City Council that the building located at the intersection of Stefan cel Mare Boulevard and Mitropolit Banulescu-Bodoni Street hasn’t been a historical monument for a long time now due to its periodical reconstruction since erected in the first half of the XIX century. Data from the Capital Construction Department of the Chisinau City Council, which was appointed as contractor of the building’s reconstruction, show that the building was practically rebuilt completely after the Second World War bombing. Although it had initially only two floors, subsequently a 3rd floor was built, and it got shortened by 6 meters when the Banulescu-Bodoni Street was widened. The building has been used during the years for various purposes, including as a lyceum and hotel. Architects reckon that the present placement of the library in these premises do not totally correspond to the functioning of such an institution, which has rooms both on the ground floor and the rest of the floors, with more economic entities and private tenants sharing. The Capital Construction Board has got by now from the local budget 46 thousand lei to start the project works. An initial project plan foresees an attic for the building, which will allow enlarging the library’s rooms meant for the work with readers. Under the decision of the City Council, the building’s contractor needs to initially study the feasibility and carry out a technical examination of the building before requesting the town planning certificate.