# Plovdiv Maritsa River construction dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/plovdiv-maritsa-river-construction-dispute > Updated: 2026-10-09T13:40:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 4. 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. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-09: 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 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/plovdiv-municipality-reaches-property-exchange-deal-to-resolve-maritsa-south-dispute ### 2026-09-28: 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 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/plovdiv-municipality-to-consider-buyout-of-disputed-maritsa-south-construction-site ### 2026-09-25: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/plovdiv-construction-dispute-intensifies-over-maritsa-river-green-zone ### 2026-09-21: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/plovdiv-to-close-maritsa-yug-boulevard-for-european-mobility-week --- Cite as: Plovdiv Maritsa River construction dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/plovdiv-maritsa-river-construction-dispute