Jihlava wants to start using the Modeta factory near the zoo for the public

Jihlava - Jihlava wants to start using the first part of the Modeta factory near the zoo. The city purchased the property more than two years ago, and the swimwear and sportswear manufacturer has remained there temporarily as a tenant. However, it no longer needs half of the building. Today, Ji hlava's councilors released 400,000 crowns for preparations to modify the vacant part of the complex for various events until its total renovation becomes possible.

The city bought the factory with the justification that, among other things, it would use it for the development of the zoo. The purchase price of the area, which covers over 1.2 hectares of land, was reported to be 29 million CZK according to earlier information from the city hall.

As the mayor Karolína Koubová (Forum Jihlava) said today, multiple options for the new use of the factory are being considered. "Of course, the zoo is being counted on, there is consideration for tourism use, and there should be some kind of playroom there," she mentioned among other things. At the same time, according to Koubová, it is necessary to ensure that the building is not left empty until the city secures funding for the renovation from subsidies or private investors. According to her, this will be at best in 2024.

The finance committee, according to councilor Jiří Pokorný from the opposition movement ANO, largely deemed the expenditure of money for temporary modifications of the factory space before the planned renovation as uneconomical.

"We will not be making any structural modifications that would then need to be demolished," replied Koubová. For temporary use, according to her, it is necessary to make a different entrance, repair the electrical installation, or ensure toilets in the area. Moreover, according to the mayor, it is not certain that the renovation of the factory will begin in 2024, as the city is planning other significant investments as well. "It is possible that there will be no money, and that the temporary operation could last for ten years," she added.

The city already had 700,000 CZK in this year's budget for a feasibility study for Modeta. Today, the councilors decided to use part of that for documentation for the basic structural modifications that could allow a part of the area to be opened to the public as early as spring 2020.