Ostrava announces an architectural competition for a parking garage

Ostrava - Ostrava announces an architectural competition for the construction of a parking garage near the regional office. The parking garage, with a capacity of approximately 600 spaces, is to be built in a gap next to the regional office. The city expects that its construction will cost around 359 million crowns, said Deputy Mayor Zuzana Bajgarová (ANO) to reporters today. Proposals for the competition can be submitted until September 13.

"It is quite a significant area in terms of further development. We know that a library is to be built in that location and the culture house is to be reconstructed for a new concert hall. The area is overall quite burdened from the perspective of local residents and parking," Bajgarová stated the reasons for the creation of the parking garage.

She noted that in the last three years, this is the sixth architectural competition. According to her, the city cannot put the parking garage underground because its construction would be approximately four times more expensive. However, it also wants to ensure that quality architecture is built in Ostrava, which is why it announced an architectural competition for such a facility.

"Experience from other cities and countries shows that the building can look lively, interesting, and attractive. It could even have a ground-floor area where there might be shops in the future," Bajgarová added. Construction could begin as early as 2021. The parking garage must include at least ten spaces for electric vehicle charging.

"The best proposal will be selected by the jury no later than the turn of September and October, and since this is a design competition, we will want to sign a contract with the winner for the realization of the entire project documentation for a maximum of 30 million crowns," Bajgarová added.

The financing of the construction has not yet been definitively resolved. In addition to the possibility that it will be financed solely by the city, there is a potential option for involvement from the region or a private investor. In the future, according to Bajgarová, Ostrava plans a number of significant constructions, and upon their completion, the deficit of parking spaces in the city center could reach as much as 3000. Therefore, the city is also preparing other projects, such as a parking garage near the city hospital. Ostrava's goal is to encourage drivers to enter the city center as little as possible and to use public transport, while also offering sufficient parking options within a reasonable distance.