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4 clusters · 4 sources · 19 days · First seen · Last updated

Plovdiv Maritsa River construction dispute

Overview

A dispute has intensified in Plovdiv regarding construction projects near the Maritsa River. The owner of a plot at 146A Maritsa Blvd, A i N Investment Ltd, has declared intentions to proceed with development unless the Plovdiv Municipality or local citizens purchase the property to preserve it as green space. The company’s manager, Atanas Darakchiev, stated that advances have been paid to subcontractors and a significant portion of construction materials has been pre-paid.

Investors have declined to participate in tripartite meetings between the municipality and residents, citing the non-constructive nature of the format and the physical obstruction of machinery by protesters. While the investors maintain the project is legal, a national petition has emerged calling for a 50-meter green zone along the entire Maritsa River corridor. This movement, initiated by Iva Dimitrova, seeks a comprehensive plan to ensure public access to parks and biodiversity protection rather than allowing independent development of individual plots.

Following a meeting between residents, investor Atanas Darakchiev, and Plovdiv Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, construction activities on the disputed 535-square-meter plot have been temporarily frozen and heavy machinery has been removed. While the municipality initially prepared a market valuation for a potential buyout, a new principle agreement has been reached to resolve the dispute through a property exchange.

Under this agreement, the disputed plot on Maritsa-South Boulevard will be exchanged for a municipal property in the Smirnenski district, located at the corner of Perushitsa and Pchela streets near the Plovdiv Mall. The new plot is slightly over half a decare with a built-up area corresponding to the original project. Finalization requires administrative procedures, including the creation of a new Detailed Development Plan (PUP) and an independent regulated land plot (UPI), before a final proposal is submitted to the Plovdiv Municipal Council.

Entities

Plovdiv Municipality · Kostadin Dimitrov · Plovdiv · Atanas Darakchiev · Atanas Drakachiev

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Plovdiv Municipality reaches property exchange deal to resolve Maritsa-South dispute

    Plovdiv officials and investor Atanas Drakachiev agreed to exchange a disputed Maritsa-South property for a plot in the Smirnenski district, following local protests to preserve green space.

  2. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Plovdiv Municipality to consider buyout of disputed Maritsa-South construction site

    Construction near Plovdiv's Maritsa-South Boulevard is temporarily frozen as the municipality prepares a market valuation to potentially buy out a disputed 535-square-meter plot from investor Atanas Darakchiev.

  3. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Plovdiv construction dispute intensifies over Maritsa River green zone

    Investors in Plovdiv vow to proceed with construction near the Maritsa River unless the land is bought out, amid a growing national petition to establish a 50-meter protected green zone along the river.

  4. [CULTURE] 2 sources
    Plovdiv to close Maritsa-Yug Boulevard for European Mobility Week

    Plovdiv will close Maritsa-Yug Boulevard to motor vehicles on September 22, 2026, for European Mobility Week, featuring parades, safety training, and various community events across several districts.

Sources

plovdiv24.bg · plovdivnow.bg · podtepeto.com · trafficnews.bg

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history