Praha is completing the change of the zoning plan for the Cargo Station Žižkov

Prague - The Prague City Hall is entering the final phase of acquiring a change to the zoning plan, which is necessary for the planned residential construction in the area of the Žižkov Freight Station. As announced by Prague 3 today and as indicated on the city hall's bulletin board, a public discussion on the proposal will take place on February 16, followed by seven more days for submitting further comments. The change could be completed by the end of this year, and it will be approved by the city councilors. Several companies are planning to build in the station area, potentially housing up to 15,000 people.

The area around the former freight station covers approximately 33 hectares. Residential projects are planned by companies such as Central Group, Penta Real Estate, and Sekyra Group. The extensive functionalist station itself is to be preserved, with preliminary plans indicating that it will include, among other things, a primary school and the headquarters of the National Film Archive.

After the public discussion of the proposed change, there will be another round of comments from the public and institutions. After incorporating these comments, the final proposal will be discussed by the urban development committee of the council, which will either recommend it for approval or not, and subsequently, the city council. The final decision will be made by the council, which may follow the committee's and councilors' recommendations but does not have to. The city has been preparing the change since 2008.

"I believe that the zoning plan change for the Freight Station will be approved by the end of 2021, to the satisfaction of the residents of Prague 3 and investors, and that a significant transformation of the building and the extensive area of the station into a fully functioning district of Prague 3 will begin in the foreseeable future," stated Tomáš Mikeska, deputy mayor of Prague 3.

Prague 3 raised several objections to the proposal for change last year; according to Matěj Michalek Žaloudek (Greens), chair of the urban development committee of the city district, not all were addressed. "We care about ensuring that Žižkov does not become overloaded with cars, that there is enough public green space, and sufficient educational, healthcare, and social service facilities," he stated. He added that the proposal will also be discussed by the district councilors at their next meeting, which will take place on the same day as the public discussion of the proposal, namely February 16.

According to the supporting study for the change, which was previously prepared by the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR), a new district with a capacity of up to 15,000 residents will be created in the station area. A tram line is planned to run through the area, not through the building of the station as previously planned, but north of it. The proposal also includes a two-lane road that would connect the station area with Jarov. For this, the city hall is having a separate study prepared.

The fate of the station, which ceased operations in 2002, has been under discussion for years. It was initially set to be demolished for construction, but the pressure from activists led to a halt in the demolition. The building is owned by Czech Railways, which is now negotiating with the city hall, the Ministry of Culture, Prague 3, and development companies regarding its future ownership and use.