Meda Mládková will present the plan for the use of Werich's villa

Prague - People will learn through a public hearing how Werich's villa in Prague could be utilized. The property is sought to be rented by the Jan and Meda Mládek Foundation. They will present their proposal to the public on September 5, the Prague 1 city hall informed ČTK today. The city district announced the intention to rent the foundation the property two weeks ago, but before the council meeting wants to know the citizens' opinions.
    The foundation's proposal includes investing one million US dollars (approximately 20.3 million crowns) into the renovation and creating a cultural space in the house dedicated to the legacy of Jiří Voskovec, Jan Werich, and Vladimír Holan, said Monika Umanová from the city hall. The library is expected to house documentation and writings from other personalities. If the proposal is approved by the council in September, the foundation will gain management of the property for 90 years.
    “This is the first public hearing regarding an important decision related to life in Prague 1,” Umanová added. Institutions that may be interested in the villa also have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the proposal. Alternatively, they can submit their own. The council will decide on the rental at a meeting scheduled for September 13. They will also evaluate the conditions under which the villa will be rented and any other offers.
    The city hall had attempted to rent the villa in two previous selection procedures. Only Mládková applied to the second one. The city hall explained this, among other reasons, by saying that the conditions were quite strict. Additionally, unlike the previous procedure, it does not allow establishing a restaurant in the building. Back then, the overwhelming majority of applicants assumed they would set up some gastronomic operation in the villa.
    The previous competition took place two years ago. Colly won the bid, which triggered criticism. The city hall ultimately had to cancel the competition because it was not in accordance with the current wording of the public procurement law. The second selection procedure was supposed to take place last June, but after a week, the council also canceled it.