Blansko is once again looking for a company to repair another building of the castle complex

Blansko – Blansko is looking for a company for the fourth time to repair another building of the castle complex, specifically a dilapidated building referred to as Castle 3. Previous tenders for the construction contractor were affected by COVID restrictions, a sudden increase in construction material prices, and a shortage of labor in construction. This was reported by the town hall spokesperson, Pavla Komárková, in a press release. Blansko has allocated 21 million Czech crowns in its budget for the repair.

Originally, the agricultural buildings belonging to the castle were neglected for decades. The city is gradually repairing them. After the reconstruction is completed, employees of the Blanensko Museum will move into part of the Castle 3 building, while another part will be used by the Blansko Elementary Art School.

"The complete revitalization of the courtyard adjacent to the very center of the city is one of our priorities. We are again counting on the restoration of the courtyard in our investment projects as included in the approved budget. This year, 21 million Czech crowns have been allocated for it," stated Blansko's mayor, Jiří Crha (ODS). The spokesperson added that the South Moravian Region is also expected to contribute to the facilities for the organizations established by the region, promising to allocate a three-million crown grant for the restoration of the courtyard.

Blansko selected the company that will undertake the repairs a year ago. In the tender announced in November 2020, the company Kaiserbau won. At that time, the company estimated the cost of the work at approximately 12.5 million Czech crowns, nearly four million less than the city had anticipated. Last February, Blansko signed a contract with them. However, they were only able to complete the demolition at that time, and the actual restoration of Castle 3 had not yet started. Initially, they struggled with a shortage of workers due to COVID restrictions, then the contractor was taken by surprise by rising construction prices.

"The contract with the original contractor was terminated last year after several months due to the failure to meet individual deadlines set in the work schedule and also for pricing reasons. The construction was put on hold, and since then the city has been unsuccessfully trying to select a new contractor," said Petra Skotáková, head of the city management and development department.

Last autumn, the city announced a second tender. However, the selected winner withdrew just before the contract description, citing further increases in construction material prices and their unavailability in the market. At the beginning of this year, the city announced a third tender, to which only one applicant responded. However, according to the city, they did not meet the conditions of the tender procedure and therefore had to be disqualified. Companies can apply for the fourth tender until March 2.

From the original Castle 3 building, only the outer walls remain; the initially selected company has already removed the roof covering and trusses, and also secured demolition within the interior. The new design will align the building's height with the neighboring buildings, which will be connected by direct entrances. The reconstruction will include adjustments to the internal layout of the building and the construction of new attic rooms. The facade will then harmonize with the already renovated buildings of the courtyard as well as the castle building.