Activists in Plzeň criticize the city hall for its actions following the referendum

Plzeň - Organizers of the referendum, which rejected the construction of a department store in the city center exactly three months ago, criticize the city of Plzeň for its indecisiveness and fear of decision-making. They have committed the city authorities to prevent the construction of Corso Americká on the site of the demolished cultural house by all available means. The city hall claims that it is a complicated legal matter and that the councilors will approve a course of action by the end of May.
    "Plzeň councilors are not making any decisions. They pretend to be active in front of the public by asking for assessments from other lawyers," said Petr Vaněk, a member of the referendum's preparatory committee, to ČTK today. According to his colleague Martin Marek, the councilors still do not know how to proceed and some of them are not even inclined to. "The only solution is to adopt a regulation or change the zoning plan to include the condition from the referendum, namely no commercial facility on the site of the cultural house," he stated.
    According to Deputy Mayor Martin Zrzavecký (ČSSD), a lot of work has been done, and given the legal complexity of the case, "no one can expect us to react overnight because no one in the Czech Republic has dealt with it this way yet." The city hall has already terminated the future purchase contract for the marginal city land, which Plzeň will not sell to the investor. Amádeus has it rented only until the end of June. "At the same time, we have urged him to sell the land under the cultural house. Amádeus replied that he is ready to negotiate, but still wants to complete the project. And that if we negotiate the price of the land, we must take into account that he has invested considerable resources in preparing the project," he stated. Further negotiations will take place next Wednesday in Plzeň.
    Amádeus has requested the city for cooperation after potential modifications to the project. "He can expect it where the law mandates us, namely for network constructions. We are ready to negotiate on the rest, but we must respect the outcome of the referendum, which means not to obstruct the construction, but the establishment of a commercial facility," stated Zrzavecký. The city hall has received an analysis from lawyers on the steps it can take to avoid harming the city and to fulfill the referendum.
    The city has now commissioned a second analysis, which will also assess any potential criminal liability of the councilors. "It will be ready by the May council meeting, where a decision will be made regarding the city's actions following the referendum," he added.
    The city council decided on Thursday to announce an urban-architectural competition for the disputed area. Its outcome would serve as a basis for a new zoning plan, which Plzeň is expected to have in 2015. The current zoning plan permits shops in that location. "Experts will propose what should be in the area," said the deputy. If only a change in the zoning plan were addressed, the city would have to stop preparing the new plan for the entire city, which it does not want to do.
    The zoning procedure for the construction of the shopping center is underway, but it is now interrupted due to objections from two civic associations.