Jihlava will have a proposal for the use of the Modeta factory by autumn

Jihlava - Jihlava will have a proposal for the temporary use of empty parts of the Modeta textile factory for the public by autumn. The city will likely not have money for the complete reconstruction of the factory and surrounding area, estimated to cost around 200 million crowns, in the coming years and does not want the area next to the zoo to remain unused. After minor construction modifications, there could be a café and a place for families, exhibitions, or clubs, Mayor Karolína Koubová (Fórum Jihlava) told reporters today.

Jihlava purchased the properties next to the zoo, which belong to the city, at the end of 2016 for 29 million crowns. The swimwear and sportswear manufacturer Modeta Style remains as a tenant in the factory. They will operate there for another three years, but are only partially utilizing the buildings.

The proposal for the temporary accessibility of about half of the factory, where production has already ceased, will be developed by the UNArchitekti studio for 380,000 crowns. The city has seven million crowns for the construction modifications of the vacant parts of the buildings, which, according to the mayor, is not much considering the size. It concerns approximately 1500 square meters of area.

"But I believe that a clever and inexpensive solution can be found so that the public can access it even now. So we do not have to wait five or ten years until we have enough funding to modify the entire building," Koubová said. She would be happy if the basic construction modifications could be completed next year.

The factory, which dates back to the early 20th century, was later expanded. According to information published by the city during the signing of the purchase agreement, the Modeta area occupies more than 1.2 hectares of land. Finding money for its complete reconstruction will not be easy, according to the mayor, as there will be fewer subsidies in the next programming period of the European Union. According to her, collaboration with a strong partner could also be considered.