Horažďovice will renovate the square, replacing concrete with stone slabs

photo: Atelier 25

Horažďovice (Klatovy region) - The reconstruction of the central square is being prepared by Horažďovice in the Klatovy region. The necessity to repair the historic Mírové náměstí has been discussed in the town of 5,500 inhabitants for several years. The city hall even had a study prepared by experts. It counted on more significant changes to the face and character of the square, from which the current park was to disappear. However, the people were not in favor of this. Therefore, the city will repair the square while maintaining the current style. At the same time, they will seek to obtain a grant for the project worth tens of millions of crowns, Mayor Karel Zrůbek (ČSSD) said to ČTK.
     The park makes up nearly two-thirds of the square. The developed project, however, counted on the entire area of the square being paved and greenery being planted in other places. Such a solution, according to architects, would provide new sightlines and better highlight some of the square's landmarks, but the people did not want to lose the park, Zrůbek stated.
     The complete project for paving the entire square was estimated to cost between 60 and 70 million crowns. Although the city is now looking for another variant, which will use paving material from its own sources, the costs will still be about ten to 15 million lower than the original project. Besides the surfaces, it is also necessary to make relocations and reconstructions of networks, Zrůbek listed. The city has yet to succeed with any applications for EU grants.
     The square urgently needs repair already. The concrete in part of the area is crumbling and cracked. The new plan counts on replacing it with paving. "We have the idea to pave this part with historical stone slabs that have been worked by hand. We have some of them stored and some are in various places on the sidewalks," the mayor stated. The city will have all preserved stone slabs, which were used to pave the town in the past, removed and counted and measured. "In a computer program, they will then be arranged and a precise placement of each slab in a specific place will be planned. We will see if we have enough of them," Zrůbek added.
     The sidewalks should be newly paved with cobblestones, which are also in storage in Horažďovice. The entire park is also expected to be renewed. According to the mayor, the current hawthorns are old and at the end of their lifespan. Thus, the park in the square should gradually be rejuvenated. By the end of this year, the city hall wants to have completed plans for the renewal of the square. Repairs could begin next year, likely even if the city hall does not receive grants.