Plzeň - The controversial multifunctional building Corso Americká in the center of Plzeň has received a positive assessment regarding the environmental impact of the construction (EIA) from the Plzeň Region. The new center for shopping, leisure, housing, culture, and administration, costing 2.5 billion crowns, is set to be built by the Czech development company Amádeus on the site of the Inwest Cultural House by 2013. The positive professional assessment confirms that the investment is justified in its current location, said investor representative Jan Piskáček to ČTK. However, five civic associations aim to prevent the project through a local referendum. They have already collected over 9,800 signatures and believe they will reach the necessary 13,500 by early January to allow the city council to call for a public vote as early as January. "We anticipated that they would receive the EIA assessment; we even thought it would be sooner. There is still time to announce the referendum. They can have a final zoning decision at the earliest in June. Until then, we can change the zoning plan from the current mixed urban area to urban greenery," said association spokesperson Martin Marek. According to him, the city has more powers and does not necessarily have to lease the land around the cultural house, which Amádeus needs, to the investor. Amádeus already handed over the construction site to the company APB Plzeň on November 3, which is to demolish the cultural house. The civic associations are still discussing with the Ministry of Culture the possibility of listing the 1986 building as a heritage site. "The EIA stance confirms for us that we are preparing the project for the citizens of Plzeň and that we have been considering the environment and the life of residents in the surrounding area from the very beginning," said Amádeus representative Jan Petřík. According to him, the project is prepared in accordance with the spatial planning documentation. A positive EIA is a condition for submitting a request for a zoning decision. Amádeus Plzeň will, according to Piskáček, defend its rights and the investments it has already made in the project by all legal means. "The DK Inwest building is not a cultural monument; the investor has made every effort to accommodate the public and the city hall. We have been proceeding at all times according to valid legislation and all standards. We are open to any discussion and suggestions," Petřík said. Following public suggestions, the investor has included, for example, a sports center, bike paths, and a cultural hall, which it intends to offer free of charge to the organizers of the event Plzeň - European Capital of Culture in 2015. "The investor is also working on a transportation solution to minimize the burden in the area," stated Piskáček. According to him, the 520 parking spaces is an absolute minimum for the location as determined by standards.
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