A Novosibirsk architect, Valery Filippov, has proposed reopening Shchetinkina Street to through traffic, connecting Krasny Prospekt and Serebrennikovskaya Street. The proposal was presented during a discussion regarding the improvement of public spaces within the block bordered by Serebrennikovskaya, Deputatskaya, Kamenskaya, and Shchetinkina streets, at a commission on public spaces of the Public Expert Council on Urban Development under the Novosibirsk City Hall.

Filippov questioned why the public council on urban development couldn’t suggest opening Shchetinkina Street from Krasny Prospekt to Serebrennikovskaya Street, stating that the closure of Shchetinkina Street by the mayor’s office to create a parking lot was “the most shameful thing for the center of Novosibirsk.” He suggested opening the street first and then assessing the traffic flow.

The proposal arose during considerations of organizing one-way traffic on Shchetinkina Street. A representative from the city hall’s transport department stated that calculating the traffic flows for this would be a complex task.

Currently, a portion of Shchetinkina Street is blocked off for parking. 2GIS indicates that most of the area is available for free public parking, while a section is gated off.

The Public Council unanimously supported Filippov’s proposal. A request was sent to the Novosibirsk City Hall to determine the regulatory basis for the street’s closure and whether proposals to reopen it had been received.

Previously, it was reported that many of the cars parked in the area, including on Shchetinkina Street, belong to city hall employees and city deputies.