The train station in Brno may be covered by a commercial complex with parking

Brno - A five-story complex with shops, offices, and nearly 1700 parking spaces could rise above the new railway station in Brno. This is part of a new project to cover the railway yard by the Brno company FA PAROLLI, as reported by ČTK from documents that the investor submitted to the authorities for environmental impact assessment. According to the project, it will be a standalone investment plan that does not relate to the reconstruction project of the Brno railway junction, which has been without a territorial decision since December.
    Simultaneously with the construction of the station, a seven-story building with an area of 350 by 230 meters could be developed, which will offer a total of 77,500 square meters across five levels above the railway yard. These should be filled with rentable commercial spaces for offices and shops, relaxation zones with accommodation options, and nearly 1700 parking spaces.
    "We did not expect to build such a huge commercial building above the platforms of the proposed new station, as it was not included in any published plans and moreover, during this time of economic crisis, any private investor surely weighs each major investment carefully," said Miroslav Patrik from Děti Země, who plans to send their statement regarding the construction intention by January 18 at the latest. They intend to request a more precise noise and emission study and a study on the impact on the architectural character of the surroundings for the issuance of the territorial decision.
    The project for the reconstruction of the railway junction, which includes the relocation of the station 800 meters to the south, has been without territorial decision since December 12. It was annulled by the Regional Court in Brno based on four lawsuits filed by Děti Země, the Stará Osada - Židenice association, the Brno-Židenice city district, and 13 individuals. The initiation of the project, estimated at about 20 billion crowns, could thus be delayed. The city must now issue a new decision for the construction, which will take at least half a year. The content of the court's decision is not yet known, and therefore it cannot be anticipated how it will affect the planned start date of construction.
    The necessity to issue a new territorial decision, according to the Deputy Mayor of Brno, Martin Ander, does not necessarily jeopardize the start of construction. "Currently, documentation for the building permit is being processed, and it should be completed by the end of January 2010. Therefore, there might not be any delay at all," Ander previously told ČTK.
    The reconstruction of the Brno railway, which is related to the relocation of the station and the construction of a rapid transit line, is one of the most discussed construction projects in Brno in the last decade. The investment is expected to cost 20 billion crowns and is to be realized with the aid of European funds. This year, construction of a parking station started, which would have occurred regardless of the station's location.