Authorities in Sochi are determined to put on a good show for the 2014 Winter Olympics to be held in the city — so much so that they are planning to fine residents living in the city's Olympic hospitality zone who refuse to renovate the exteriors of their homes.
"By 2014, 7,955 buildings should be modernized in a consistent architectural style," a Sochi administration spokesperson told Interfax on Monday, adding that so far only 3,000 Sochi residents have agreed to undertake the necessary repair work.
"52 percent of citizens owning property in Sochi's international hospitality zones are refusing to carry out the orders of the administration to repair facades, roofs and fences. In the near future, the owners of such buildings will be charged with administrative offenses and be issued fines," the spokesperson said.
The size of the fines levied on noncomplying residents will range from 1,000 rubles ($30) to 5,000 rubles for property owners to 50,000 rubles to 200,000 rubles ($6,200) for legal entities.
Reconstruction work is currently being carried out on 310 buildings, the spokesperson added.
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