The Prague coalition will continue to discuss the toilets on Petřín

Prague - The parties of the Prague coalition will continue to discuss whether the city hall will build toilets with maintenance facilities in Strahov Gardens on Petřín at the originally intended location, or whether the construction will be moved elsewhere. Petr Hlubuček (STAN), the deputy mayor responsible for the construction, told ČTK that there is no reason for a change. He disagrees with TOP 09, whose representatives stated on Tuesday after a meeting with local residents that they would propose moving the construction. STAN and TOP 09 jointly form the club of United Forces for Prague.

Local residents are protesting against the project, two associations and two petitions have been created regarding it. According to locals, Petřín is one of the few places in the city center that has not yet been completely overwhelmed by tourist traffic and where local residents can still relax. According to critics, the construction above Vlašská Street would also disrupt the view and valuable natural habitat of Petřín. The project has sparked intense discussions in the city hall and Prague 1 councils in recent weeks.

According to ČTK, the issue could appear on the agenda of Monday's coalition meeting. Representatives of the Pirates and Prague Sobě stated on Tuesday for the Blesk.cz server that they would welcome moving the construction a bit further away. However, the construction is under the purview of Deputy Hlubuček, who sees no reason for relocation. "The council of the capital city and the council of Prague 1 have dealt with this project three times in their meetings over the past two months, and the city council and Prague 1 have always confirmed the project," ČTK wrote.

According to the original project, new toilets and a maintenance facility for the gardens are to be built in the garden near Strahov Monastery at the site of wooden structures demolished in 2015. Initially, the city wanted to build a larger building with an information center there, but backed down from that plan and in 2016 had a resting area with a drinking fountain and benches constructed instead; now it wants to follow up with a smaller building. Hlubuček reiterated that the new building is to have 51 square meters, while the original structure that the city had demolished measured 130 square meters.

A construction company has already been selected for the project, and a contract has been signed, so in addition to revoking the resolution of the city's authorities that approved the project, the city hall would also have to deal with the contractor. "This is a problem, but it is certainly solvable. We are continuing to discuss the matter within the coalition and with Prague 1. There are many proposals, but each one must first be properly verified and then thoroughly worked out into the form of a real project that the councilors can then consider," explained the deputy.

The Great Strahov Garden near Strahov Monastery was established in the early Middle Ages as a utility garden. Its area is 11 hectares. It was connected with Petřín Gardens in 2016.