Kyiv Residents Demand Immediate Demolition of the Abandoned April City Mall Construction

Kyiv Residents Demand Demolition of the Unfinished April City Mall

According to Главком: The petition numbered 14217, filed on the Kyiv City Council website by Oksana Andriichuk, calls for clearing the "Kiltseva Doroha" light rail station of the unfinished "April-2" shopping center. Registered on May 14, 2026, it has already gathered 6,084 signatures, surpassing the required 6,000. Ukrainian lawmaker Roman Hryshchuk, who voiced his support, stated:

'No construction work has taken place here since the start of the full-scale invasion. This monstrosity symbolizes the utterly failed incompetence of local authorities, who greenlit this investment project for the benefit of individuals close to Stolár and Chernovetskyi.'

The issue surrounding this incomplete mall has persisted for over seven years, forcing light rail passengers to end their journey at the "Zhyulia Verna" station (formerly "Romena Rollana"). Concrete pillars erected as part of the mall's construction have narrowed the roadway leading to the Kiltseva Doroha exit. The developer, the company Favorit-Polis LLC, has shown no construction progress in 7.5 years. All building work on the site halted when the full-scale war began.

Current Status and Possible Actions

In February 2026, the State Architecture and Urban Planning Inspectorate (DIAM) planned to file a court lawsuit demanding the demolition of the unfinished mall. According to available information, this requires approval from the Ministry of Communities and Infrastructure Development. In autumn 2025, DIAM found that the developer had not complied with an order to reconstruct the structure and mandated its removal. However, the developer has failed to provide any documents, including project blueprints, complicating the demolition process.

The saga of the April City mall spans 12 years. The municipal company Kyivpastrans obtained the plot above the Kiltseva Doroha stop back in 2008. In 2018, the developer received urban planning conditions from the Kyiv City State Administration (KCSA). The State Architectural and Construction Inspectorate (DABI) issued a construction permit in 2019, with the mall's opening originally scheduled for late 2020. Yet the situation stagnated. In 2022, residents of Borshchahivka submitted a petition for the mall's demolition, but authorities rejected it.

The authors of the new petition emphasize: 'We have the right to safe roads, open space, and public transport that serves people, not one that adapts to frozen shopping centers.' They demand the immediate dismantling of the April-2 structures above the tram tracks and the Kiltseva Doroha station, the removal of concrete pillars and construction fences from the roadway, and the full restoration of the Kiltseva Doroha station's operation. If a court rules that the developer must demolish the mall at its own expense but fails to do so, the enforcement service of the Ministry of Justice will step in.

The unfinished April City Mall highlights the strained relationship between local authorities, developers, and the community. Years of indecision in urban planning matters and a lack of action from responsible agencies underscore the urgent need for a resolution. Given the active signature collection by Kyiv residents, it is clear that concerns over public transport safety and meaningful use of city space are becoming increasingly pressing.

As residents advocate for the demolition of the abandoned April City mall, city officials are also focusing on improving local infrastructure. The recent plans to widen Miska Street highlight the urgent need for upgrades in the area, aiming to enhance traffic flow and accessibility for all citizens. This ongoing development underscores the importance of addressing both unfinished projects and necessary urban improvements in Kyiv.