The center of Opava will change its face, three projects are being prepared

Opava - The center of Opava is set to change its face. The local municipality, in cooperation with private investors, is preparing two extensive projects in the area of the former marketplace and behind the Slezanka department store. These projects aim to bring life back to the city center. Plans include the construction of a multiplex cinema, smaller shops, restaurants, and spaces designated for entertainment and leisure activities. Additionally, the city council wants to announce an architectural competition for the new appearance of the facades of ten municipal residential buildings. This was stated by Opava spokesman Jan Šindler.
    In the case of the first two projects, the city is not the investor. It owns the land on which the development companies will build. "However, we will sell the land only after the completion. This allows us to control the construction process and have leverage to influence it in case the investor starts building something different than was permitted," he explained.
    In the location of the former marketplace near Nákladní Street, a commercial and entertainment center is to be created. According to Šindler, however, it should not include any classical hypermarket. "The largest store will measure 50 by 20 meters and will contain food items," he said. A multiplex cinema with several halls and an open parking garage for 400 cars is expected to be built there. "A recreational area for both young and older people is planned," the spokesman explained, adding that construction might be completed by the end of 2009.
    The development behind the Slezanka department store is expected to bring 21 new apartments with a total area of nearly 2,300 square meters. An additional 13,800 square meters will be allocated for office and retail spaces. The new construction should connect in some areas with the original historic architecture. In this context, the city council is also addressing the future of the high-rise building owned by the Ministry of Agriculture.
    The investor currently plans to integrate it into the new construction. However, the city wants to acquire it from the state and subsequently have it demolished. "From an architectural perspective, it does not fit there. The minister has previously stated that he would be glad to participate in the process of replacing poor-quality architecture with quality," Šindler added. According to him, the city has already found alternative spaces for ministry officials in the building of the former barracks on Krnovská Street.
    "Both projects aim to restore life to the center of Opava. We no longer want it to fade away to the outskirts, where supermarkets are located. We do not want people to drive to the Ostrava multiplex or buy quality clothing in other cities," Šindler stated, adding that residents of Opava should find everything they need in the center.
    In the future, three long and continuous blocks of houses adjacent to the Opava town hall are also expected to undergo transformation. "The city will announce a large architectural competition that would give a different, modern, and dignified appearance to the gray socialist architecture," the spokesman indicated. He added that the change will concern ten municipal residential buildings. "There will be two separate competitions, one of which will include four houses on Horní náměstí and the other three houses on Mezi Trhy Street and three houses on Dolní náměstí," he clarified.
    The city is seeking proposals for new facade layouts, plastering, cladding, and barrier-free entrances to buildings.