Prague took the first step towards purchasing the Žižkov Freight Station building

Prague - Prague will sign a cooperation agreement with Sekyra Group regarding the former Žižkov freight station building, which the city intends to purchase. The wording of the contract was approved by the council today. According to Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (STAN), the agreement includes the condition that the development company will waive its right of first refusal on the building and the land beneath it. According to previous statements, the protected historical building is expected to serve cultural or educational purposes in the future.

The former railway station building and the relevant land are still owned by Czech Railways (ČD), which previously established a joint venture with Sekyra Group for the purpose of developing the site. Therefore, the developer holds the right of first refusal on the building. The contract, according to the approved document, stipulates that the company will relinquish its rights and the city will provide guarantees that it will not lose the opportunity for planned development on the surrounding land in the planned extent.

"The agreement opens up space for us as a city to purchase the freight station building," said Hlaváček. According to the approved document, the city hall is already preparing a purchase agreement in cooperation with ČD, which will first be approved by the council and then by the representatives. Furthermore, today's approved agreement includes, for example, consent for mutual use of the other party's land during construction and other related articles. If the city does not purchase the station building by the end of January next year, it will have the option to withdraw from the contract.

In the past, the city considered securing the development of the station building through partnerships with development companies that own land in the area. However, the current city hall leadership determined, based on a legal analysis, that it would be risky and decided on a direct purchase. "This is the fastest and most beneficial way for everyone to unblock the transformation of the Žižkov Freight Station brownfield," states the document approved today.

In the area of the former station, the Central Group is already building, planning to construct 4,600 apartments in three projects. In addition to Sekyra Group, Penta and Finep also want to build there. Prague 3 and Prague have agreed with developers on so-called contributions, which the companies will pay to local authorities for infrastructure development. According to previous statements from city representatives, these contributions are expected to be worth around 1.5 billion crowns.

According to the urban study approved last year, up to 15,000 residents are expected to live in the new district in the future, with parks and several educational facilities including an elementary school in the station building planned. The city plans to organize an architectural competition for it, as well as for the design of a park that is to be created in the central part of the area, and other public spaces. A tram line will be constructed along the northern edge of the area along Malešická Street, and the new Jarovská Street will connect the district to the future section of the city ring road.