Authorities in Russia's second largest city, St. Petersburg, said on Wednesday they will decide where to build a controversial 400-meter skyscraper in the next few months.
Plans by Russia's gas giant Gazprom to erect a needle-like tower next to the 18th century Smolny Cathedral have prompted fierce public opposition. Downtown St. Petersburg is a UNESCO world heritage site and critics say the Okhta Center will ruin the city's unique low-rise skyline.
Last week, St. Petersburg Governor Valentina Matviyenko, who gave the green light for the project in 2007, said the skyscraper could be built in a different area of the former imperial capital.
"We have asked builders to present other variants for [the location of] the proposed building," the city's Deputy Governor Igor Metelsky said on Wednesday.
"I think we will enter an active stage in considering the bids before the end of the year," he said. "I can tell you that we are already looking into two projects."
Metelsky did not elaborate.
ST. PETERSBURG, December 8 (RIA Novosti)
