Hradec Králové has an agreement with ČSOB regarding the footbridge, averting the threat of a fine

Hradec Králové – The city of Hradec Králové will probably not have to pay Československá obchodní banka (ČSOB) a multi-million fine for failing to construct the footbridge over the Elbe by the deadline for the bank’s new regional headquarters. However, it must obtain approval from the building office for a change in the zoning decision for the footbridge by the end of May and then construct the footbridge within three years. An amendment to the contract between the city and ČSOB was discussed by the city council, and it will be definitively approved by the representatives in March. This was stated today by the city hall spokesperson Kateřina Šmídová.

The city committed to the construction of the footbridge in the Aldis area in its contract with ČSOB; the designs for the footbridge and the ČSOB building are interlinked. The existing contract indicates that if the city does not manage to build the footbridge by April 2020, it must return a third of the 45.6 million crowns for which it previously sold land to the bank for the construction of the headquarters. This amounts to a penalty of 15.2 million crowns.

The city hall has been preparing the construction of the footbridge since 2003. Three unsuccessful tenders have been announced for the footbridge. The last tender was canceled due to the high price, with the only bidder offering a price of 142 million crowns excluding VAT. The city originally estimated a cost of around 48 million crowns excluding VAT for the construction, most of which was supposed to be covered by a grant. This year, the city intends to announce a fourth tender. They aim to secure a higher grant for the construction. A particularity of the proposed footbridge is that it is to be built using an unusual technology involving special high-strength concrete.

According to Deputy Mayor for Investments Jiří Bláha (ODS), the bank must adhere to the zoning decision during the construction of its building, which is tied to the already completed footbridge. "In order for ČSOB to complete its building even without the footbridge, we need to change our zoning decision, which will allow for a partial modification of the bank's project for its completion," said Bláha. He stated that ČSOB insists on the footbridge, which will connect the Aldis area with the opposite bank of the Elbe, and considers it essential for the operation of its project in Hradec Králové.

If the city does not obtain the necessary approvals for the changes from the authorities, it will likely abandon the current plan and begin preparing a completely new footbridge project.