Recently, there have been numerous disputes surrounding the popular wholesale Dyk market in Rivne. Initially, thousands of traders held a rally due to a trench dug near the kiosks last summer. Then, a fight broke out during a city council session, where entrepreneurs clashed with deputies and officials over the land for the free parking on Zdolbunivska Street. Last week, on the night of September 4, a horrific incident occurred: someone attacked the guard, doused the tires on the roof of one of the kiosks with a flammable substance, and set them on fire. The flames quickly spread to the walls of two neighboring trading points, occurring just before a session where deputies were to decide on the extension of the lease agreement for the land under the parking lot and stormwater collector. As a result, there were not enough votes to extend the lease.
Interestingly, a petition appeared on the city council’s website, authored by Leontiy Volodymyrets, calling for the Dyk market to be relocated outside the city center. He managed to gather the required 250 votes in just a few days, so now the city council needs to provide a reasoned response.
This is reported by Rivne24
Alina Chervona, entrepreneur from the Dyk market:
— Please extend our land lease for the parking and access to our market, which was established by Yaroslav Dyk. This is essential for our operations! We oppose transferring this facility to any municipal management because under the guise of management, these facilities end up in private hands. An example is another plot under the bridge, which was handed over to the road maintenance department a year ago, and in August was put up for auction and leased to a private individual for 15 years.
Viktor Shakiryanz, acting mayor of Rivne:
— The position of the city council, deputies, and the commission is to ensure free passage, access, and create safety for everyone. No one intends to touch the Dyk market. We have prepared a draft decision to clearly state: there is a moratorium, and there will be no paid parking there. The only thing needed is to set up road signs, create markings, and ensure parking spaces for people with disabilities, according to the traffic organization scheme.
Relocating the market is likely not feasible, as a significant portion of the land beneath it has long been privately owned. The co-owners of the “Trading Center-D” only lease part of the plots from the city.
However, the future of the Dyk market raises concerns, as warned by deputy Anatoliy Chuguyevets during the session, urging traders to be cautious:
— I appeal to those standing behind the counters: you have support in this council, but in the next one – who knows. Various options are being considered, including the possibility of creating a shopping and entertainment center in your place. People should be wary of those they are with today. Because the fate of the land will be decided by its owner.
In the corridors, it is said that conflicts surrounding the market may indicate that someone is seeking a stake in the future shopping center, the project of which already exists and could be implemented in the coming years. Which side will prevail remains to be seen.
Olena RAKS.