The Ostrava City Council wants to build a transport technology museum

Ostrava - The Ostrava City Council wants to build a museum of transport technology. It is now looking for a creative team to come up with an idea on how to utilize the extensive industrial complex near the main railway station in the Moravská Ostrava and Přívoz district for this purpose. The city has purchased it in recent years. Today, the city's intention was communicated to the media by the Deputy Mayor for Transport, Lukáš Semerák (Ostravak). According to rough estimates, Ostrava could invest up to 270 million crowns into the project.

The city announced a call for proposals this week. It has reached out to seven companies - architectural firms or creative studios from the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Others can also get involved. "We are looking for a creative idea. A concept that will fill the space of around 22,000 square meters. We want it to be as creative as possible. To appeal to visitors from the age of three to 80," said Semerák.

The city will pay two million crowns to the winners of the conceptual competition. Interested parties can submit projects until the end of July. This year, the city wants to sign a contract with the author of the best idea. "Construction permits could be issued within a year. It should be completed by the year 2020," added Semerák. He noted that the museum can be developed in phases.

According to Semerák, the most important aspects for selecting the project will be the content and idea. "The price will only have an influence of 20 percent," he said. He added that the city is making a large area next to the main railway station available, where several industrial halls currently stand. It will depend on the authors whether they will use the existing buildings or advocate for demolitions and new constructions.

The content of the museum should be creative; it is not meant to be just a display of technical exhibits. The city is willing to purchase historical vehicles but anticipates that it will prioritize using historical exhibits from its public transport company's collections.

"The goal of the project is to present not only the history in a playful manner but also the current development of public transport," explained the city spokesperson, Andrea Vojkovská.

The transport museum is not the only project of this type being prepared in Ostrava. The National Agricultural Museum also intends to open its branch in the city. An interactive exhibition focusing on agricultural technology and Czech food is set to be created in the Lower Vítkovice area of Ostrava by 2019. The project will cost 123 million crowns, including ten million for the purchase of old industrial halls from the engineering company Vítkovice.