The National Library is protesting against the construction of a nine-story building with underground garage between the two blocks of the institution by the company Green Hills Nistru. The National Library’s director general Alexe Rau stated for Info-Prim Neo that the given construction is not in accordance with the General Urban Plan of Chisinau. Also, the Library’s block No. 2 located at 78/1, 31 August St, where the building is to be erected, is an architectural monument that is over 100 years old and any powerful vibration can damage it. Rau reminded that block housed the Theological Seminar, which was the first education institution in Bessarabia, where Alexei Mateevici studied. He also said that the Library needs that area for a possible extension of the books store. “We have over 3 million books, 500,000 of which are kept in the store in that block. The others are not kept in a special place,” Alexe Rau said. He expressed his concerns that the library might be forced to move its head office to the outskirts, but this would affect the entire scientific and educational community, according to Rau. Iurii Chirica, lawyer for Green Hills Nistru, has told Info-Prim Neo that one year ago the company obtained all the documents needed to erect the building, both from the State Construction Inspectorate and the Ministry of Culture. But it is in litigation with the Chisinau City Hall, which refuses to issue the construction authorization on paper, but does not issue the refusal for building the block as well. The lawyer also said that the building that will be constructed is a business center. It will not be higher than the Government’s Building so as not to affect the architectural style in the area. The façade will be fully of glass. According to Iurii Chirica, the Library’s objections are groundless as that land has been in private ownership since 2000.