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A church in Ternopil has commissioned the construction of a 10-story residential building.

A house is being constructed next to the church on a designated parish plot provided by the city.
Церковь в Тернополе заказала строительство 10-этажного жилого дома.

In Ternopil, near the Church of the Holy Trinity, a 10-story residential building is being constructed. According to the data from the Unified State Electronic System in the field of construction, the project is commissioned by the parish of the UGCC of the Holy Trinity in the Ternopil-Zboriv Diocese located on Malishka-Slivenka Street.

The construction permit was issued in July 2022. The Unified State Electronic System indicates that nearly 200 apartments will be built, and the project's visualization on the specialized portal LUN shows that the building will feature an underground parking lot, commercial premises, above-ground parking, and a children's playground. The development will consist of three sections situated almost adjacent to the church.

The land on which the residential complex of comfort class is being constructed has been in the permanent use of the Holy Trinity parish since 2020, as reported by the Ternopil publication 20 minutes. This site covers an area of 0.5265 hectares.

Documents from the Ternopil City Council stated that the land was transferred for permanent use to expand the territory for the construction of temple structures, as well as parish, residential, and public buildings.

“However, the terms regarding public and residential development were initially absent from the decision. They were added on January 29, 2021, when another plot was allocated to the parish on Yarema Street,” the journalists noted.

Residents of nearby buildings have protested against the construction of the 10-story residential complex. Five of them have approached the court requesting the removal of references to residential and public development from the TMR resolution dated January 29, 2021.

The first instance court sided with the plaintiffs; however, the parish and TMR appealed this decision. The Eighth Appellate Administrative Court overturned the decision of the first instance court and issued a ruling to leave the case without consideration. A cassation proceeding has been opened in the case.

Journalists from the 20 minutes website sought comments about the construction of the residential complex on church land from representatives of the Ternopil-Zboriv Diocese of the UGCC. They responded that they do not comment on the situation.

Meanwhile, the rector of the Holy Trinity Church, Roman Dutcak, told reporters over the phone that a lot is being built nearby, but not on church territory. He invited journalists to meet at the church, but after they agreed, he stated that he was on a business trip and did not know when he would return.

The land management project, which involves the church's construction of a residential complex, has attracted the attention of law enforcement. In January 2024, they opened a criminal proceeding under the article concerning official negligence. In February of last year, investigators requested access to documents related to the land management project. Thus, a pre-trial investigation is ongoing.

Additionally, according to data from the LUN portal, the completion of the residential complex on Malishka-Slivenka Street is scheduled for the end of 2026. The general contractor for the construction is the Ternopil private enterprise "Yavir-90," owned by local entrepreneur Bohdan Zaviti. The price per square meter of housing in the "church" building in January 2025 was from 33.6 thousand UAH.