The Plzeň Region has requested a plot of land from Plzeň for a gallery

Plzeň - The Plzeň Region has sent a request to the city of Plzeň for the transfer of land on the edge of the U Zvonu park pathway, where a new building for the collections of the West Bohemian Gallery (ZČG) is set to be built for 274 million crowns. During the summer, the region will present the results of a study by the Prague firm Cultropa, which has unequivocally recommended this land in the center of Plzeň. At the end of June, the regional council approved that the project relying on funds from the European Regional Operational Programme (ROP) will be supported. This was stated by Martin Baxa, the regional council member for culture.
    "We have not yet negotiated with the city, but we have no signals that Plzeň would refuse the gallery on the land at U Zvonu," he added. According to Baxa, it is currently impossible to discuss the price for the area, which consists only of grass and a small parking lot. Until 2002, there was a residential building there, which was demolished after the floods.
    Between 2008 and 2013, nine billion crowns is expected to flow into the Plzeň Region from the ROP. "Among the non-transportation projects, the biggest candidates for ROP funds are the reconstruction of the regional Klatovy Hospital for half a billion crowns and the new ZČG building," said Vladislav Vilímec, the regional council member for the economy. The region can obtain up to 75 percent of the costs.
    In the multi-story gallery, the price of 274 million crowns also includes interior equipment, and according to Baxa, there would be a permanent exhibition of the most valuable collection items from the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. These rare and unique works are currently in storage, Baxa noted.
    The company Cultropa, which worked on the feasibility study for the new gallery for half a year, rejected the second variant of constructing the building in the historic object on the Škoda complex, known as the ASAP building. The location at U Zvonu was recommended mainly because of its position. The site would be more advantageous in terms of tourism and visitation, and also because it would connect to the current gallery buildings in the center, allowing for the continuation of educational and training programs, Baxa stated.
    Four years ago, Plzeň announced a public urban competition to fill the space left by the U Zvonu house. Dozens of projects were submitted; most proposed the construction of a new building. However, the city council ultimately decided to keep a small park in the area for the time being.