Facade construction and rehabilitation works continue in Old Batumi. Many buildings remain covered with scaffolding, while the process has been only partially completed on several streets.
The preparation of detailed cost-estimate documentation for the construction and rehabilitation works in Old Batumi, as well as the execution of the works based on this documentation, was procured by the Municipal Development Fund (MDF) in 2023. That same year, the Fund signed a contract with the tender-winning company Saba Construction LLC.
The project, for which GEL 200 million has been allocated from the state budget, has not been made publicly available for review.
Recently, the Georgian Dream government stated that 161 out of 214 ongoing projects transferred to the Municipal Development Fund are problematic. However, officials have not clarified whether these problematic projects include the rehabilitation of historic Batumi or another major project in Batumi the development of Heroes’ Alley.
It also remains unclear which specific specialists were involved in preparing the Old Batumi rehabilitation project and whether art historians or heritage conservation experts trusted by civic groups that protect cultural monuments and often protest or challenge decisions in court participated in the process.
Moreover, Batumelebi was unable to obtain officially requested information from the Municipal Development Fund identifying the specialists involved in the rehabilitation of architecturally and historically significant buildings protected under cultural heritage law. Some workers on site told reporters that no professional restorers are involved in the works.
While working on this issue, Batumelebi also contacted Saba Construction, but the company stated that all questions should be addressed to the Municipal Development Fund, as the project client.
Batumelebi formally requested from the Fund a list of individuals who prepared the Old Batumi rehabilitation project, including their qualifications, as well as information on those supervising the rehabilitation process. The Fund responded incompletely, avoiding the key question of which specialists specifically prepared the rehabilitation projects for protected heritage buildings.
According to the Fund, GEL 179 million has already been spent within the framework of this project, while the total allocated budget amounts to GEL 200 million.
Questions regarding the effectiveness of project oversight, quality control, and expenditure monitoring have long been raised by Batumelebi concerning projects implemented by the Municipal Development Fund in Batumi, but answers were not provided. In October 2025, it became officially known that the situation was far from satisfactory.
According to Revaz Sokhadze, Georgia’s newly appointed Minister of Infrastructure, 161 out of 214 ongoing MDF projects are problematic, with a combined value exceeding GEL 1 billion. He made this statement in parliament.
Former Director of the Municipal Development Fund Davit Tabidze was charged with abuse of office and released on GEL 300,000 bail as a preventive measure.
On October 30, former Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure Koba Gabunia was arrested on similar charges of abuse of official authority. Gabunia had served as the curator of the Municipal Development Fund.
As part of the investigation, searches were conducted at personal residences and properties belonging to Koba Gabunia, former Regional Development Minister Irakli Karseladze, and other individuals 20 locations in total.
Regarding the Old Batumi rehabilitation project, the contract stipulates that the works must be completed within three years, although the agreement remains valid until 2029.
According to tender documentation, the winning company was tasked under the Cities and Resorts Development Program with preparing detailed design and cost-estimate documentation and carrying out construction and rehabilitation works in Batumi using the Design-Build method.
Based on the current on-site situation, works have been completed on Memed Abashidze Street and Irakli Abashidze Street, while rehabilitation continues on adjacent streets. On dozens of buildings, façade works remain at an early stage, and sidewalks on several streets have been excavated.