ČSSD: Prague has a plan for the renewal of the Holešovice market, but nothing is being done

Prague - Prague has a plan regarding the revitalization of the Holešovice market, but the area has not seen any changes and continues to deteriorate. Members of the opposition Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) from Prague 7 said this at a press conference today. They called on the city hall and the local council for immediate action. They want the historic market to become a natural commercial center of Holešovice. The mayor of Prague 7, Jan Čižinský (Prague 7 for itself), claims that responsibility lies with the owner, Prague, led by the ANO party. The city’s statement is being sought by ČTK.

The fate of the market has been debated by the city leadership for several years. Since 2014, according to the ČSSD, there has been a study on its usage. However, the historic buildings have not undergone any significant changes during that time. "We have been lagging behind for over a year; the Institute of Planning and Development and the city must be significantly more active," said Tomáš Petříček. "That is why we insist that existing usage studies are urgently assessed and that the area begins to be repaired and developed immediately," he added. According to the ČSSD, there should be a balance between culture, entertainment, community activities, and commerce in the market.

The local mayor also wants a variety of services for the market. "It’s an asset that one of the best farmers' markets, supermarkets, hardware stores, a theater stage, a carpet shop, restaurants, and drugstores operate in the market. On the other hand, it is a tremendous shame for responsible politicians that a shanty is still operated on city property," Čižinský told ČTK. "We demand the urgent repair of the perimeter wall, the relocation of vendors to the renovated halls, and the demolition of makeshift stalls in the alleys," he added. In the past, Prague 7 wanted to manage the market, but the city hall, according to the mayor, did not agree.

Last year, the leadership of the capital announced that it wants to reach an out-of-court agreement with the tenant, Delta Center, during this year and take over the management of the market. It intends to fill it with cultural, artistic, and commercial activities. Currently, the market houses, among other things, a shopping center, a restaurant, as well as a theater and vendors. The buildings are in a dilapidated state. Many of them have not yet found a purpose. Additionally, the market is marred by unsightly stalls.

The area of the former slaughterhouse has been a cultural monument since 1993. The city hall requested in 2012 to lift the heritage protection of the entire area and proposed to only declare some buildings as monuments. However, the Ministry of Culture did not agree at that time.