Jihlava wants to sell the former barracks to the Ministry of Defense for the training of active reserves.

Jihlava - Jihlava wants to sell the former barracks in Pístov to the Ministry of Defence. They should then serve for the training of active reserves. The city should receive 44.9 million crowns for the approximately seven-hectare area, which is the price set by an expert assessment. Today, 32 Jihlava councilors voted in favor of the proposal, with one vote against. Three councilors abstained from voting.

"It's a proposal," said Deputy Mayor Martin Laštovička (KDU-ČSL) regarding today's material. He added that after approval by the ministry, a contract for the sale of the area would be presented to the city council.

In previous years, the fire rescue service also showed interest in the barracks. According to earlier information, they wanted to establish a national training and education center for the integrated rescue system there. They negotiated with the city to donate the property. A year ago, however, the city hall learned that the firefighters had withdrawn from the plan.

The city then negotiated with other interested parties for utilization. In addition to the army, there were energy companies among them, but they did not present a specific offer. They were interested in renting to install solar panels. "Those were the only offers," stated Mayor Petr Ryška (ODS). He mentioned that the active reserves are currently training elsewhere. "And of course, in case of any calamity... we will have people on hand who can help us. So it seemed very good to us," he said. He added that the area is deteriorating and the army would repair it.

According to the published materials, the negotiations also involved the gratuitous transfer of the barracks, with the ministry participating in related investments, such as the construction of sewerage and transport connections in Pístov. Representatives of the army indicated, according to the city hall, that they are willing to purchase the area but do not want to commit to investments. "They actually don't even know what they would be," the mayor stated.

"We will be against it. If it was used by the Army of the Czech Republic, we have no issues with that. The facility requires someone to take care of it," stated opposition councilor Petr Paul (SPD with support from Tricolor). He also mentioned that the city would relinquish control over the area. "We would not like to see foreign military units stationed here, even if they are friendly," he said.

"If our NATO allies came here, I would much prefer to see them here than the Russians," stated councilor Zdeněk Faltus from the coalition movement ANO.

The city received the area with buildings for free in 2011 from the municipality of Rančířov. The municipality took over the barracks from the state and, according to the agreement, handed over the part lying within its cadastre to Jihlava.