The fate of the plot in the center of Kolín will be decided by the chief architect's study

Kolín - The future of the unused land on Kmochova Street in the center of Kolín should be determined by a study prepared by the city architect. An Austrian investor is interested in the land after the technical services, but the city council does not approve of his plan. According to the city leadership, the area intended for the shopping center that the company plans to build would be too large. Additionally, such an extensive construction is not permitted by the zoning plan, Mayor Vít Rakušan (Change for Kolín) said to reporters today.
    "The city council has agreed to have a municipal architect's report prepared so that we have some background regarding what the particular location can withstand in terms of architectural appearance and potential traffic load," Rakušan stated.
    The land, covering an area of 5,800 square meters, belongs to the city, which has been trying to sell it for 23 million crowns. However, there were no interested parties. Later, an Austrian investor contacted the city and wanted to negotiate the purchase. However, his demands are, according to the mayor, unacceptable to the city council.
    For the indebted city, selling the land is important. The financial situation in Kolín is heavily burdened by obligations related to the construction of an industrial zone in Ovčáry and housing for the local automotive company. In total, these obligations represent around 900 million crowns. Due to savings, the city has less money for investments this year.
    According to the mayor, the Austrian company wants to build 1,500 square meters of retail space, while the zoning plan only permits 1,000 square meters. Rakušan noted that if the city had the certainty of other income, such as selling land in the industrial zone, it could use the land on Kmochova Street for its own project.
    Until the architectural study is completed, the city will continue to offer the land on the official bulletin board, where the sale offer will reappear this week, in the form it was once approved by the council.
    "But we are doing this only to avoid wasting time. This time we are not doing any major advertising; it will simply be posted on the bulletin board, which costs us nothing," the mayor remarked. Depending on future developments, discussions may occur regarding whether to ask for less money for the land or potentially sell it in parts.
    The technical services in the city are currently operated by AVE Kolín, which has a new headquarters on Třídvorské Street. An old gas station remains in the former premises, which the company has committed to relocating.