Amadeus is negotiating with Plzeň about construction, but is still in court with the city

Plzeň - The city of Plzeň has been negotiating for five months with the Prague development company Amádeus about the design of the area after the demolished culture house in the center. However, Amádeus is still suing the city for damages related to the failed original project of a large shopping center, which the residents of Plzeň rejected in a referendum four years ago. The appellate hearing at the regional court is scheduled for April 5, said Mayor Martin Zrzavecký (ČSSD) to ČTK.

He hopes that, just like at the municipal court, Plzeň will succeed and will not have to pay the requested 1.85 billion CZK. According to the mayor, the city has not committed any acts that would harm the developer. The regional court should make a definitive decision. "There may still be a petition for review, but it does not have a suspensive effect," he said.

Amádeus wanted to build a large facility worth 2.5 billion CZK near the city center between 2008 and 2014. However, the results of the referendum bound the city hall to take all steps against the construction. The developer filed a lawsuit against the city in January two years ago. They are seeking damages for the thwarted project and lost profits. The court proceedings began in September 2015.

Zrzavecký hopes that the court will deem the lawsuit against the city unfounded. He is pleased that both sides have been intensely discussing since October. "If we did not negotiate with them, they (Amádeus) could gain an advantage in court. Because they claim that the thwarted investment is due to the fact that we keep changing our minds and that we do not want to negotiate with them," said the mayor. The city's goal is to develop a 2.4-hectare vacant area where cars are currently parked freely. "It is in the hands of a private investor and we must negotiate with him," he stated.

Last October, the mayor, his deputies, the chairman of the board of the investor, lawyers, and representatives of the office established the basic boundaries of cooperation. "And then it was handed over to what we call a working group, let's say one level down," he said. It primarily includes representatives of the city planning and development department and architects from both sides.

For the area between Americká and Sirková streets, part of which is also the site originally designated for the construction of the controversial department store, a zoning study is currently being prepared, which will build on the new zoning plan approved last year. "It will include a more detailed definition of the area," Zrzavecký stated. The study, without which the area cannot be developed, is expected to be completed by the end of the year. If it meets Amádeus's expectations, they will revise the shopping project.

"Amádeus has only one chance to influence what they will be able to build in the area if they are part of that study. They obviously want that," said the mayor. At the initial meeting last year, Amádeus defined its ideas about how they would like to develop the area. According to the mayor, this is already in line with what the city wanted. "That is, the volume division, boulevards, connection to the city center, a bridge across the river, and multifunctionality; it's no longer just about one building," he added.