In 2009, a monument dedicated to the founders of the fortress of Dmitry Rostovsky was installed on the central street of Rostov. The opening took place on December 15 and was timed to coincide with the 260th anniversary of Rostov-on-Don. The sculpture is located where the fortress of Saint Dmitry Rostovsky once stood, and it was created by local sculptor Sergey Oleshnya.

The monument is a massive bronze composition weighing five tons, consisting of five figures. It depicts the moment of discussing the construction plan of the fortress, featuring the founders of the city: the construction leader Alexander Rigelman, the first commandant Ivan Somov, customs manager Vasily Khastatov, ataman of the Don army Danil Efremov, and his adjutant, a Cossack from Dolomanov. Ataman Efremov sits on a trophy cannon, while the Cossack holds a banner. The other figures are leaning over a relief plan of the twelve-sided fortress. However, the scene of discussion is fictional: the fortress plans were developed in St. Petersburg by other people, and ataman Efremov died before construction began.

The project is executed in the style of urban sculpture rather than a traditional monument. The small pedestal slightly rises above the street and is integrated into a four-step staircase leading to a platform that is elevated by just a few dozen centimeters.