A Minus is A Plus

28 April 2009, a regular meeting of the working group under the guidance of Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation Andrey Busygin dedicated to restoration and major repairs of the Eastern Wing of the General Staff building took place. The working group meets once a month; it consists of representatives of the Russian Federal Surveillance Service for Compliance with the Law in Mass Communications and Cultural Heritage Protection, the Committee on State Control, Use and Protection of Monuments of History and Culture, Intrasia LLC, Foundation for Investment Construction projects, Studio 44, Engineer-consultant firm and the State Hermitage. The participants were informed that the plan of further works of the first stage of restoration and major repairs of the Eastern Wing of the General Staff building until August 30, 2010 was signed by the Governor of St Petersburg Valentina Matvienko.

The results of cost analysis for the period from September 01, 2008 till March 01, 2009 that was conducted in connection with the economic crisis were made public. The analysis revealed an opportunity to save 38 million roubles owning to the fall in material prices and cost of certain works. Saved means will be used at further stages of these works.