<Czech_Lipa> will buy the burned Kounic House for 1.9 million CZK

Česká Lípa - Česká Lípa will buy the burned Kounic House for 1.9 million crowns. The purchase of the dilapidated monument has already been approved by the councilors. The Association of Sports Associations of the Czech Republic originally wanted 4.9 million crowns for it. According to an estimate processed by the city hall, the value of the house with the land is even two million higher. Nevertheless, the amount seemed too high to the councilors. The house burned down three years ago and has been deteriorating since then. The city eventually succeeded in negotiating a lower price. Václav Šámal, spokesperson for the city hall, informed ČTK about this today.

The former bourgeois house, also known as Kounic's, was completed in 1771 by the then landowners, the Kounic Counts. It was built on the site where the lordly brewery, destroyed during the city fires of 1611 and 1698, once stood. The house was constructed as a new residence for the officials of the estate. In the following years, it served as a salt warehouse, military hospital, customs office, Czech gymnasium, and in the second half of the 20th century, it housed the Svazarm. The current owner rented the spaces to several smaller entities; the Association of Sports Associations of the Czech Republic did not have its headquarters there.

However, three years ago the house burned down. The fire broke out on the roof, caused by welding work on the roofing structure. "I am glad that an agreement was finally reached, and Kounic House will belong to the city. Once we finalize the contracts and the house is transferred to the city's ownership, we will immediately start working to prevent further destruction of this monument. At the same time, we will need to obtain a static assessment to be completely clear about the condition of what remains of the house after the fire, three years later," said mayor Romana Žatecká (ČSSD).

Discussions about the use of the extensive building are currently taking place in the city. "I believe that given its location and the size of the whole area, Kounic House should serve children," said deputy mayor Juraj Raninec (ODS). According to him, the House of Children and Youth Libertin could move into it. "But perhaps also an aquarium, which is currently in OD Banco," added Raninec.