The Mykolaiv Development Agency is seeking ₴8 million to restore a historic tram substation building

In Mykolaiv, the search continues for funding to restore the historic tram substation building, where there are plans to create a cultural and educational space and a city museum. Experts from Kyiv are due to inspect its current condition.

This was announced by Yevhen Homoniuk, regional development manager at the Mykolaiv Development Agency, during a live broadcast.

He noted that the building has not been in use for several years and also sustained damage during the full-scale war.

«It has stood empty since 2019, without heating. In 2022, the building came under shelling. It was also damaged. Due to the lack of heating, there is a problem with the interior work; the windows there are smashed. The former owner removed some ventilation elements, so we are seeking funding to get this building up and running,» said Yevhen Homoniuk.

He noted that in April, the Agency submitted a project application to one of the funds and has already progressed to the second stage of selection.

«We submitted a project application to the fund in April and have progressed to the second stage. This does not mean we will receive funding, but we, along with other communities, have made it to the second round. I am, of course, hoping for a positive outcome. We are currently awaiting a team of builders from Kyiv who are to carry out a technical assessment of the site. Based on the results of their analysis, the donor will decide whether this project can go ahead. The timeframe is very tight; under the fund’s conditions, the site must be operational by June 2027 at the latest,» he said.

In the future, the tram substation is planned to be used as a cultural and educational space. As the first event, the organisers promise Mykolaiv residents an exhibition on the history of the site in the life of Mykolaiv.

«Conceptually, we plan to create a cultural and educational space. The working title is «City Museum». Many Mykolaiv residents have written that the city lacks its own museum. We see the space as an exhibition venue. We were inspired by Lviv’s experience. If everything goes to plan, we think the first event will be an exhibition about what this building is, how it came to be, and the stages of its development. We hope that this year or next, it will open its doors as a cultural and educational space,» he added.

The estimated cost of the project is over 8 million hryvnias.

«Our request is for just over 8 million hryvnias. These funds can cover renovation, equipment, furniture and various activities. And we can open either the first and second floors, or all four, depending on the scope of work. This will be determined by the expert assessment team coming to Mykolaiv,» explained Yevhen Homoniuk.

As is known, in December 2025, Mykolaiv City Council completed the process and acquired the historic tram substation building into municipal ownership.

It later emerged that the authorities are seeking 5 million hryvnias to renovate and begin using the historic building.

The history of the first tram substation in Mykolaiv

As is well known, the first tram substation in Mykolaiv was built at the beginning of the 20th century. In the 1970s, attempts were made to demolish the building to widen Lenin Avenue (now Central Avenue, — note), as well as to construct an underpass.

However, thanks to the efforts of local architects and activists, in particular architect Olha Popova, the building was saved and included on the list of architectural monuments. In 1973, the building was given a new purpose — the «Sadko» café was opened there.

In the early 2000s, the building caught the attention of Serhii Prudkyi, director of the Mykolaiv branch of Aval Bank, who initiated the establishment of a bank branch within its walls. Following renovation, the building was purchased and adapted for its new use.

Sale of the historic building on Soborna Street

As is known, on 9 February, the building of the first tram substation at 8a Soborna Street was put up for sale with a starting price of just 3.5 million hryvnias.

At the time, according to Yurii Liubarov, head of the Mykolaiv Department of Culture, the building’s owner had approached the city council with an offer to purchase the building even before the auction was announced; however, Mayor Oleksandr Senkevych refused, citing a lack of funds.

Subsequently, NikVesti asked Serhii Prudkyi, an honorary citizen of Mykolaiv and member of the executive committee – who was once a bank director and had purchased this building for «Aval» – what he thought about the possibility of the city buying the property. To which he replied that the Department of Culture should now seek opportunities to purchase this building for 3.5 million hryvnias in order to preserve this architectural landmark for the people of Mykolaiv.

In particular, the view that the historic tram substation building on Soborna Street, which has been put up for auction, should be purchased in the interests of the city’s community is also held by Tetiana Dombrovska, a member of the Mykolaiv City Council and head of the ‘Servant of the People’ faction.

Meanwhile, Mykola Kapatsyna, co-owner of the «Okean» shipyard and a member of the Mykolaiv City Council, has stated that he is prepared to contribute 1 million hryvnias to join other interested parties in purchasing the building for the city.

Councillor Artem Iliuk stated that the city authorities should involve councillors in resolving the issue of purchasing the property.

Meanwhile, musician, volunteer and chairman of the supervisory board of the «DOF» public organisation, Volodymyr Alekseiev, supported the idea of raising 3.5 million hryvnias to buy the building of the first tram substation in the centre of Mykolaiv. He proposed combining social and commercial functions within the building, which would benefit the city and preserve the historic building.