DUSHANBE, December 6, Asia-Plus - Dushanbe mayor’s office has announced an open contest for the best design of the Youth Palace that will be constructed in the place of former Badakhshon Caf? in the Mirzo Tursunzoda Street.

Shavkat Saidov, a spokesman for the Dushanbe mayor, said the contest announced on December 5 will last until January 15, 2007.  “The Youth Palace should be a four-story building to house the municipal departments on youth and women’s affairs, business incubator, wedding salon, Internet-center, halls for holding wedding ceremonies, museum of history of the Dushanbe youth, underground parking, etc,” the spokesman said, noting that the mayor’s office presents an award of 3,500 somonis for the best design.   

According to him, the mayor has called on teachers at Tajik Technical University to participate in the contest.  The construction is expected to start next year, Saidov said.