Pardubice is seeking funds for Machoň's passage

Pardubice - Pardubice will retain the Machoň Arcade. The city originally wanted to sell the arcade in the Art Deco style, but ultimately rejected the offer from the only interested party. However, it will be difficult to find money for the repairs of the dilapidated cultural monument. The approximately 100 million crowns needed are not in the budget, nor does the administrator and owner of the property, the City Development Fund Pardubice, have them. Thus, the object will likely undergo smaller modifications than originally planned, said Mayor Jaroslav Deml (ODS) today to ČTK.
    "I consulted with the Ministry of Finance about the possibilities of obtaining a subsidy from the state budget, but at this time and given the current economic situation, it is unclear. We need to look for another model through which we could obtain funds, for example, from the Ministry of Culture," said the mayor.
    City councilor Jiří Lejhanec (ODS) sees another opportunity in a strategic partner who would contribute to the modernization. "The idea is that there would be equal conditions. For example, a joint-stock company could be established, where the strategic partner would have a comparable percentage to the fund or the city," said Lejhanec.
    According to expert estimates, Pardubice needs approximately 100 million crowns for repairs. They will likely utilize studies suggesting that the arcade can be repaired in sections. Even so, the repairs will be less generous due to the lack of funds.
    "Realistically, it will probably just be a restoration. But first, we must decide on the purpose for which the renovated spaces will serve. I would like to see something like a Czech Point office there, where people could handle various official matters, a gallery, shops with quality gift items, studios, a café where people could sit, and so on," said the mayor.
    Several city administrations have talked about the restoration of the arcade, but so far, no repairs have been carried out. The arcade was created based on designs by architect Ladislav Machoň, with apartments on the upper floor and shops on the ground floor. Machoň had planned for its expansion, which never occurred.
    The only interested party for the arcade, Prague Property Management, offered 46 million crowns, which the city hall considers too low.