The dismantling of Moscow`s Cherkizovsky market, the site of a spate of racist attacks and several fires, will begin in September, a city government official said on Monday.
Cherkizovsky, the largest market in Moscow, was closed on June 29 by order of Russia`s consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor for health and safety violations.
"From September this year, the authorities will start dismantling all facilities located [at the Cherkizovsky market]," Nikolai Yevtikhiyev, the head of Moscow`s Eastern administrative department, where the market is located, said.
However, dismantling efforts will concern just 20% of the market`s territory, owned by the Moscow city government. Local officials also plan to appeal to the Russian federal government, which owns the remaining 80%, to demolish the rest of the market`s facilities.
"Local and federal authorities should synchronize efforts to successfully complete operations to demolish the Cherkizovsky market," Yevtikheyev said.
Moscow government officials earlier said some 2-3 billion rubles (about $64.4 -$96.5 million) would be required for the work,
Some 45,000 immigrants, mainly from China, Vietnam and former Soviet republics in Central Asia, lost their jobs when the market was shut down.
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