Karlovy Vary is preparing a reconstruction of the spa promenade Stará louka

Karlovy Vary - Karlovy Vary are preparing a reconstruction of the busiest spa promenade, Stará louka. Its renovation should begin no later than 2008, and according to preliminary estimates, the costs for restoring the nearly one-kilometer-long zone may amount to around 100 million crowns. The city would like to obtain part of the funds from grants from the Ministry of Regional Development and from European Union funds. CTK was informed about this by Deputy Mayor Petr Keřka.
Stará louka is one of the most visited promenades in the spa after the colonnade spaces. It runs from the Tržní colonnade to the Grandhotel Pupp, and a number of significant historical buildings are located along it. The first stage, which must precede the zone's renewal, will be this year’s extensive repair of the sewage collector. "During the preparation of the reconstruction of Stará louka, we must clarify how the appearance of the promenade will change. For example, it is about whether to maintain the green belt between the buildings and the bed of the Teplá River or to remove it and expand the zone," noted Keřka.
Improvements are also planned for the area directly adjacent to Stará louka, which is the Vřídelní colonnade. Here, the city will invest approximately 5.5 million crowns in repairs this year. The funds will be used for roadway adjustments and large sun dials made of stone mosaics will also be created at the Vřídelní colonnade. "This year, Ondřejská street will also undergo reconstruction for about 20 million crowns. After the renewal of Stará louka, a pedestrian zone almost two kilometers long will emerge in the center of the spa," the deputy remarked.
Visitors to the city can also look forward to a nicer environment around Alžbětin lázně. Here, a reconstruction of the roadways in Smetanovy sady has begun for four million crowns, which will be completed by the end of June. "The surface of the park paths and the areas in front of the baths will be replaced. Instead of the small and already significantly damaged stone cubes, sand will return to the park, as is the case in other parks in Karlovy Vary. The entrance area to the baths will be enhanced by a new stone mosaic," said city hall spokesman Jakub Kaválek.
Karlovy Vary has already undergone a major renovation of the pedestrian zone in the past three years. The city spent more than 103 million crowns to reconstruct T. G. Masaryk Boulevard, which leads from the Jan Becher distillery to the post office. After completing the thoroughfare through the city, the busy Sokolovská street, which runs through the Rybáře district, should gradually receive a new look. The street is expected to partially transform into a pedestrian zone.