Architects propose to demolish the Opava Slezanka and build a market

Opava - Today, the workers of the atelier re-architects presented their proposal to the residents of Opava for the use of the unsightly Opava shopping center Slezanka and the free space around it. They advocate for the demolition of the current building with shops, the construction of a new covered marketplace, and residential buildings. All for approximately 712 million crowns. One of the authors of the proposal, Ondřej Synek, said this to ČTK today. The city leadership has no uniform opinion on the work of the hired atelier. Both supportive and critical voices are being heard.

The studio's proposal includes the construction of 16 new apartment buildings. "The city could build two as its investment. The remaining ones would involve smaller investors. The amounts range from 20 to 50 million crowns per building," Synek stated. He added that some buildings could be located on the site of the current Slezanka shopping center. "We propose to demolish part of Slezanka that belongs to the city in the first phase of the project. In the next phase, we would also consider demolishing the part owned by a private owner. However, that is not a necessity," he added. The construction could then be divided into four phases over several years.

The total costs for the adjustment of the new square, the construction of buildings lining its three edges, and the central covered market with underground garages are estimated by the architects at more than 712 million crowns. The city would pay 134 million crowns for two buildings, the marketplace, and the area modifications. According to the proposal, there should be 140 apartments in the new buildings. The lower floors would provide space for shops, restaurants, and other services. Approximately one-third of the area would remain as a park.

For example, this is one of the things that displeases the mayor of the city, Radim Křupala (ČSSD). According to him, the presented vision does not respect the public's wishes, which preferred primarily park greenery. "I warned the authors that citizens prefer minimal construction. This was clearly demonstrated by the questionnaire survey they themselves conducted," Křupala said. He added that, from an urbanistic perspective, the proposal has some justification. "It is well prepared," he stated. However, he is also deterred by the cost amount. "From this perspective, I would rather consider it more purposeful to solve the use of the former post office building and the dilapidated Breda, which are also part of the center," he said.

On the contrary, Deputy Dalibor Halátek (Change for Opava) is satisfied with the final proposal of the architects. "They fulfilled our assignment. I think their proposal could work," he believes. According to him, the covered marketplace could be an element that brings life back to the center of Opava. "It would be a place where people could have coffee, sit down, and then do some shopping. That in any weather," he said. He does not consider the costs for the city to be extremely high.

He also believes that there will be interested parties among Opava entrepreneurs who would be willing to build the new apartment buildings. "I know of at least four who have already declared that they will go for it. They are serious interested parties," Halátek added.

The contract for the study of the space utilization was won by the Prague urban planning office for 1.4 million crowns. Initially, the area resulting from the demolition of buildings destroyed during the war was to be built with another shopping center. However, the city has recently backed away from the preliminary agreement with the development group Crestyl. The company was compensated for incurred costs with 28.5 million crowns.