Developer will stop half of Carolina with buildings

Ostrava - The Dutch company Multi Development, which won the competition for the development of the land from the former Karolina coke plant in the center of Ostrava, has already outlined areas for future construction. Approximately half of the currently undeveloped area of about 30 hectares should consist of buildings, while the rest will be allocated for infrastructure. This was stated today by Mayor Aleš Zedník (ČSSD).
The city should receive about 200 million crowns this year from Multi Development for the purchase of the land. The company has previously stated that it plans to invest about 12 billion to 15 billion crowns in Karolina over the next ten years. It is also expected to take care of the construction of transportation infrastructure, and these lands will likely be handed back to the city at a symbolic price, which will then manage them. The city will thus be responsible for things like winter cleaning and road repairs. The city of Ostrava should sign a purchase contract with Multi Development for the lands at the beginning of October.
Due to construction at Karolina, one of the city’s attractions, namely the Miniuni miniature city of famous buildings, will also need to relocate. The city plans to move the site to Slezskoostravský Castle. However, the move is expected to cost several tens of millions of crowns. It will be necessary to prepare new facilities for the entire area and also to adjust the current location. Moreover, according to Zedník, the relocation of Miniuni will change the space near the castle, which is currently used for popular events like the Colours of Ostrava festival, which will have to adapt to the planned changes.
Karolina is more than seven times larger than Wenceslas Square. The company Multi Development has so far invested in 18 countries worldwide. In the Czech Republic, it has completed projects such as the Olympia shopping and entertainment centers in Plzeň and Olomouc, or the Chodov Center in Prague. The company specializes in constructing urban, commercial, and administrative centers throughout Europe.

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> The competition for the development of Karolina was won by Multi Development [June 28, 2006]
> Multi Development wants to develop Karolina by 2016 [June 28, 2006]
> The people of Ostrava selected their favorites for Karolina in a survey [June 26, 2006]
> Scale models of Karolina's development are displayed at the Ostrava city hall [May 2, 2006]
> Five applicants applied for the competition to develop Karolina [April 30, 2006]
> The chief architect of Ostrava is being pursued by the police [April 19, 2006]
> The chief architect of Ostrava has not yet been excluded from the chamber [April 13, 2006]
> A protest against the development competition for Karolina has begun in Ostrava [January 9, 2006]
> Architects suspect the Ostrava leadership of corruption over Karolina [November 30, 2005]
> The city of Ostrava is considering calling a competition to revive Karolina [October 24, 2005]
> Architect: The decision-making about the Karolina area is driven by the investor's dictate [September 21, 2005]