Orbeliani Square Renovations

Yesterday, a collection of political office holders visited the construction site at Orbeliani Square, including Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze, Chairman of Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, Deputy Mayor Irakli Bendeliani, Head of Tbilisi Development Fund Giorgi Baidarashvili, Mtatsminda District Governor Davit Kirkitadze, and Sakrebulo Majoritarian MP Jaba Jishkariani.

Grigol Orbeliani Square, near 9 April Garden, is currently being rehabilitated by the Tbilisi Development Fund within the framework of the New Tiflis project. The rehabilitation includes the restoration of 20 buildings and the construction of an underground parking lot for up to 150 vehicles.

“There are significant rehabilitation works ongoing at Orbeliani Square, which is a very important project as part of the rehabilitation of Old Tbilisi. This project was one of the most important goals for us in the pre-election period, and as soon as we had the authority. we started to implement it. Around 65 million GEL [$25.1 mil] is being spent on the reconstruction of the square...with the aim of making it one of the best places in the capital, with pedestrian paths and parks that will open in the near future. The project should be completed by the end of October,” said Kaladze.

At this stage, the work is focused on the removal of irreparably damaged parts of buildings, constructive reinforcement of damaged buildings, removal of unregulated structures from facades, cleaning and refining brickwork, restoration of architectural details, and repairing damaged roofing.

Within the ongoing rehabilitation works, 13 monuments of cultural heritage will be preserved. The rehabilitation of as many as 10 additional buildings is also being considered.

In 2017, water, sewage, and natural gas lines were completely renovated on Orbeliani Square, as they had not been functioning properly for some time. That project cost 10 million GEL ($3.86 mln).

When the works are finished, Tbilisi will have another pedestrian zone, which will include parts of Pkhovi and Atoneli Streets, neighboring Orbeliani Square. The focus area of the rehabilitation stretches from Dry Bridge, via Atoneli and Pkhovi Streets, to Alexandre Pushkin Street, including Khazina and Purtseladze streets, as well as part of Grigol Orbeliani Square and 9 April Garden. This section is a continuation of the greater tourist route from Mushtaidi Garden to Freedom Square via the renovated David Aghmashenebeli Avenue.

By Samantha Guthrie

Photo: Tbilisi City Hall