The Moldovan authorities have cleared the territory of the former Republican Stadium in Chisinau. Next, this site will be transferred to the US government for the construction of a new United States Embassy and the arrangement of a public park there, preserving the gates of the former stadium. Director of the State Property Agency Roman Kozhukhar announced this on June 3. This happened just a day after the White House nominated Joseph Mark Burkhalter to the post of US Ambassador to Moldova.
Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu said at a government meeting on June 3 that the project is important for the strategic partnership between Moldova and the United States. And, in addition, according to Munteanu, it will transform this part of the city.
“From my experience, I can add that I saw the transformation of the entire area after the construction of the new US Embassy building in Bucharest. International schools, shopping centers, and beautiful streets have appeared in Piper (a suburb of Bucharest). I think this will be a wonderful development for this historical place in Chisinau,” Munteanu said.
The total amount of compensation for 16 private properties expropriated on the land of the former stadium is 96.4 million lei (€4.94 million). The American side must pay €18 million for the transfer of ownership, after which the Moldovan government will issue a deed of transfer of ownership and register it in the Real Estate Register.
The director of the State Property Agency clarified that the American side has already transferred the first payment of €3.2 million, the rest of the money will be transferred within a few days after providing supporting documents. The total amount planned for the expropriation procedure is €7.35 million.
Eight out of ten owners of expropriated plots challenged the amount of compensation in court, but, according to the law, this does not stop the expropriation procedure.
When asked exactly when construction of the new embassy building will begin, Kozhukhar replied that this decision is made by the American side.
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Let us recall that on May 5, parliament members approved in the second reading an agreement on the sale of the territory of the Republican Stadium for the construction of a new building for the United States Embassy in Chisinau.
Moldova will sell the territory of the former Republican Stadium in Chisinau to the US Embassy for 18 million euros. In addition, the US will reimburse up to €7.5 million in costs associated with the transfer of the vacant land, including any payments related to expropriation and demolition of buildings.
According to the Memorandum of Understanding, in honor of the historical significance of Republic Stadium, the United States will repair and restore the stadium gates, entrance and surrounding area, making it open to all.
In addition, the United States is obliged to allocate part of the site for the development of a park, which will also be open to the public. The design of the park will be developed jointly with the government and local specialists. The embassy and the government will agree on a name for the park, which will be associated with mutual friendly and partnership relations between the Republic of Moldova and the United States.
The US Embassy will also be able to use part of the stadium space for art exhibitions and cultural events. The new owners of the former stadium area will be able to erect monuments there.
In 2025, parliament recognized the construction of the US Embassy on the territory of the Republican Stadium in Chisinau as socially beneficial and of national interest. According to the bill, recognition of the public benefit of the construction of the US Embassy will help expropriate buildings on the territory of the future US Embassy.
The US government will reimburse Moldova for all costs associated with the expropriation.
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