ČKA criticizes the proceedings for the modification of the former sugar factory in Břeclav

photo: Libor Straka

Břeclav - The Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA) criticizes the tender that the Břeclav city hall announced for the modification and new use of the former sugar factory complex in Břeclav. According to the chamber, the contract does not meet some basic assumptions such as the pre-known composition of the jury or a sufficiently long deadline for architects to prepare their proposals. ČKA informed about this in a press release. Břeclav's deputy mayor Luboš Krátký rejected the criticism, asserting that it is not a standard architectural competition.
Problems with the use of the abandoned and deteriorating sugar factory complex have lasted for several years, and the city hall has so far been unsuccessful in resolving them. The former sugar factory complex, covering around 55,000 square meters, is intended by the city hall to be partially used to create a space for leisure activities, and partially to be developed. Three industrial halls should remain in the complex to preserve the atmosphere of the historical architecture of the area.
The deadline for submitting proposals for the documentation was September 19, and according to ČKA, architects had only 11 days to prepare their studies. However, the architects have other objections as well. "In the case of the tender for the study of the sugar factory complex in Břeclav, the jurors are not mentioned; no one even knows if architects or other independent members will sit on the jury. It is also unclear by what criteria the winning proposal will be selected," stated ČKA spokesperson Markéta Pražanová. According to her, after unsuccessful negotiations with the city hall, ČKA was forced to declare the tender for the preparation of the sugar factory study in Břeclav an irregular architectural competition and urged its members not to participate.
The city hall defends itself by stating that the complaints of ČKA relate more to its internal regulations rather than a total violation of the law on contracts. "This tender cannot be considered a standard architectural competition by anyone. Even from the stated indicative price of CZK 50,000 it is evident that the scope and purpose are completely different," said deputy mayor Krátký.
Břeclav has been dealing with problems regarding the use of the sugar factory for years. In the past, the Czech branch of Amnesty International (AI) even criticized the tender for its sale. At the end of last year, the city hall withdrew from the contract with the company Fastav, which was supposed to invest in the abandoned complex. The company, which wanted to build apartments and a shopping center there, reportedly did not meet the contractual conditions set by the city. The city then decided to have a new study prepared.