The Bachelor’s in Písek will start to change into a relaxation zone this year

Písek - The Písek locality Na Bakalářích will begin to change into a recreational zone this year. The area between the parkways and the dean's church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary is currently covered by broken pavement and mainly serves as a parking lot. The first phase will cost nearly 30 million crowns, and the city wants to obtain a European grant for it. Písek has been preparing to renovate Bakaláři since 2005. However, construction was delayed by opponents of cutting down horse chestnuts, which the city wanted to replace with new trees. After years of disputes, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled in favor of the city.
    "This is a reconstruction of the roads, parking areas, and public spaces. The number of parking spaces will be reduced by about half,” said Jindřiška Váverková, the city hall spokesperson, to ČTK.
    The new appearance will connect to the historical context of the space. The stones should indicate the original walls and stone benches of the oldest Písek school. The cut down horse chestnuts will be replaced by a new species - the smooth-leaved horse chestnut. The surfaces will be repaired, new lighting will be installed, greenery will be added, and the area will be enhanced by artistic works. The project also includes building an accessible entrance to the newly renovated parkways.
    The total costs are expected to be around 40 million crowns, but the city has divided the renovation of Bakaláři into two phases. "In December, the possibility arose to apply for a grant, which was not available before. But the project documentation must be prepared according to the new building law,” Váverková explained. Three years ago, the city selected a contractor for the construction who will build the second phase, while a new tender has now been announced for the first part of the work.
    The city has been preparing for the renewal of Bakaláři since 2005. It had a dendrological assessment carried out, which indicated that cutting down most of the trees in the chestnut alley would also be necessary in the coming years. Therefore, the municipal office proposed to cut down 28 trees. However, the civil association Lípa 2000 opposed the felling and suggested declaring the chestnuts as a protected tree row. The poor condition of the alley was confirmed by a second assessment.
    The association, together with the South Bohemian Mothers, appealed against the decision to cut down the trees, but the regional office decided to cut down 20 horse chestnuts. The regional court then rejected the lawsuit by which Lípa 2000 attempted to prevent the felling. The association subsequently filed a cassation complaint, which the Supreme Administrative Court rejected as unfounded. The city had six trees cut down in July 2006, and the remaining 14 were felled last December.