Prague will terminate plans for the costly redevelopment of the Industrial Palace

Prague - Prague will definitively give up the plan for an expensive reconstruction of the Industrial Palace and part of the Exhibition Grounds, which was to cost over three billion crowns. On Tuesday, the council will likely decide to terminate the contract with the architects from Ciegler Marani Architects, who were to develop a project for the reconstruction for 200 million crowns. In an interview with ČTK today, Deputy Mayor Václav Novotný (TOP 09) stated that Prague wants to find a cheaper way to repair the palace, the grounds, and the historical buildings.
    The proposal, with which Jakub Cigler's office previously won the competition, accounted not only for the completion of the palace but also for adjustments to the surroundings of this monument. The background of the palace was to resemble the Parisian Louvre. A passageway would allow people to walk to the Křižík Fountain. However, according to Novotný, it would mean an enormous financial burden for Prague. "I instructed the City Development Department to prepare realistic possibilities for completing the palace in relation to transport, greenery in Stromovka, and others," Novotný said. "The council will discuss the outputs in September; if we agree, we can subsequently announce a tender for a new project," he said.
    The situation regarding the Prague Exhibition Grounds, which is protected as a monument, has been addressed by Prague for several years. At the end of last year, the city managed to free itself from a long-term and, according to some opinions, disadvantageous lease with the company Incheba. The tenant will leave the grounds at the end of next year. Recently, the representatives also agreed to an out-of-court settlement regarding damages for the burned Industrial Palace. The fire that affected it in 2008 caused damages of more than one billion crowns.
    What will happen to the decaying Exhibition Grounds next is not entirely clear. In addition to completing the burned wing of the Industrial Palace, many monuments need to be repaired, such as the Marold Panorama or the Křižík Fountain. Some buildings could be demolished; according to Novotný, for instance, the dilapidated Spirala Theatre.
    Prague can either manage the grounds itself, which would, according to estimates, mean an investment of around two billion crowns for the reconstruction of the grounds. Subsequently, festivals could be held at the Exhibition Grounds in addition to trade fairs. Prague can also select an investor who will operate the grounds in exchange for invested funds. It will depend on the decision of the council and the representatives.