The renewal of the Buďánka colony in Prague could start in three years

Prague - The restoration of the former workers' colony Buďánka in Prague 5 could begin in about three years. The urban planning study has now been approved by the municipal conservationists. According to the proposal by the company Geosan Alfa, the colony should return to almost its original state. Several new apartment buildings are to be constructed near Plzeňská Street, the representatives of the Smíchov district and the company told journalists today.
    The original study envisaged a much more drastic reconstruction, which the municipality would not allow. The new proposal reportedly represents sensitive development that preserves the character of the protected area. "After nearly 20 years of futile attempts to save the unique locality of Buďánka, our project is the first to successfully combine the requirements of the municipality, heritage conservation, and the investor. We are halfway to success," said the company's manager Roman Hrubý.
    Three preserved houses from the former colony will be restored. Five other buildings will be reconstructed to their original form. Three new houses, essentially copies of the former structures, will be created there. According to the proposal, they will mainly contain apartments. The former inn is to be transformed into a restaurant. "We are restoring what is two-thirds nonexistent," said architect Jan Šesták.
    The investor plans to build several new apartment buildings along Plzeňská Street. "There was development there in the past; we are continuing that," noted the architect. The conservationists stipulated that the investor must submit several proposals for new buildings.
    The investor is to submit an urban and economic study to the Prague 5 municipality by the end of July. According to Hrubý, this will outline the anticipated future development of the project.
    The company Geosan Alfa won the selection process for the project investor in the autumn of the year before last. If its proposal for the restoration of Buďánka is approved, Prague 5 will sell the land to the company. The proposed price is 31 million crowns. "We can expect that another unsightly and dangerous place will disappear from the capital city in the near future," stated Mayor Milan Jančík (ODS).
    The use of the colony from the mid-19th century has been a concern for the Smíchov municipality for many years. The condition of the original houses continues to deteriorate, and some have already had to be demolished.