Praha appealed in the dispute over the insurance for the Industrial Palace

Prague - Last week, Prague appealed in the dispute over the amount of the insurance payment for the burned Industrial Palace. This was revealed in materials received by members of the control committee of the Prague council for today's meeting. Petr Dolínek (CSSD), the vice-chairman of the committee, told ČTK. Prague received 181 million crowns from insurance companies but demanded 1.2 billion. Because of this, it turned to the court, which rejected its lawsuit last autumn.
    The court justified its decision by stating that Prague cannot demand the insurance payment. The contract with Czech Business Insurance and Uniqa Insurance was concluded by the company Incheba, which rents the exhibition area including the Industrial Palace. Prague therefore considered whether to appeal against the decision. According to Dolínek, however, they had a legal analysis prepared that supports the appeal. According to lawyers, this supposedly does not reduce the space for a possible out-of-court settlement with the insurance companies.
    "The control committee also requested additional materials today regarding whether Prague is still involved in disputes with Incheba," Dolínek told ČTK. The metropolis had long been in conflict with the tenant after the fire at the Industrial Palace.
    Currently, Prague has a lease agreement with Incheba until the end of 2016, which, according to Dolínek, obliges the tenant to properly insure the exhibition area. If it were proven that the tenant concluded an unfavorable insurance policy, Prague could demand damages from Incheba as well, according to Dolínek.
    The city intends to use the insurance money for the reconstruction of the Industrial Palace, which is expected to cost around 1.5 billion crowns. The historic building will be completed according to the design of architect Jakub Cigler and his studio Cigler Marani Architects a.s. In addition to the completion of the left wing, an underpass under the palace is also to be created.