Ukrainian Institute of America gives its annual award to Kyiv Mayor Oleksandr Omelchenko for his contribution into city development
is contribution to the city’s development.
In so doing, the institute recognized Omelchenko for actions that have often brought him scorn at home: the redevelopment of Independence Square and the addition of numerous underground shopping malls.
“Omelchenko was chosen as Ukrainian of the Year for the renaissance of Kyiv,” said Walter Nazarewicz, the head of the institute. “You have to give him credit for that.”
Nazarewicz said that he and other visitors to Kyiv have been impressed by the changes the capital has seen over the past several years, adding that foreign visitors have even noted a change in the residents.
“People have started to smile, they even walk differently,” he said.
Kyiv has changed dramatically over the last several years. Many dilapidated buildings in the city’s center have been reconstructed, and the facades of many historical buildings have been rehabilitated. Sidewalks have been covered with paving bricks.
Some of the most notable changes include the $100 million makeover of the city’s main train station and the redevelopment of Independence Square. The square’s renovation, timed to coincide with the nation’s 10th anniversary of independence, has drawn criticism from both city dwellers and architects. The square’s design, similar to Moscow’s Maneznaya Square, is alternatively described as eclectic or kitsch.
Nazarewicz dismissed concerns over the design of Independence Square, saying that high‑profile construction projects inevitably attract critics, citing the controversy raging in New York over redevelopment of the World Trade Center site.
“The main idea is that Kyiv is reborn,” Nazarewicz said, “And Omelchenko administers the city.”
Volodymyr Parkhomenko, an expert on local governments at the Ukraine – U.S. Foundation in Kyiv, said he doesn’t fully support the institute’s decision.
“Construction is only one part of Omelchenko’s activity,” said Parkhomenko.
“I can’t say anything positive about his other activities.”
He said the mayor employed unfair election practices in the mayoral elections earlier this year.
Parkhomenko, who served on the city elections commission during last year’s elections, said he had to leave the post after experiencing pressure from Omelchenko.
The institute, founded by Ukrainian Diaspora in the United States, began handing out the award during the mid‑1980s. The honor is generally bestowed on Ukrainians or persons of Ukrainian descent, but persons without Ukrainian roots have claimed the honor – among them financier and philanthropist George Soros.
Other honorees have included U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judge Bohdan Futey and U.S. Marine Corps Commanding General Nicholas Krawciw.
Nazarewicz said the award ceremony would be held in New York in early December at the institute’s building. He said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be invited.
He said that the award actually has more value than it may seem.
“It is very difficult to get a positive picture of Ukraine, especially in the West,” he said. “We want to show the positive trends and help to improve the image of Ukraine.”
The institute also plans to run a two‑month photo exhibition documenting changes in Kyiv.
