Praha cancels the tender for construction supervision of the completion of the Industrial Palace

Prague - The Prague city hall will cancel the public contract for construction supervision for the reconstruction of the burned wing of the Industrial Palace at the exhibition grounds in Bubeneč. The reason is a complaint from one of the bidders, the company Engineering of Transport Constructions, regarding the conditions of the contract. Officials agreed with the complainant. The tender was announced in the previous electoral period and was a supplementary contract to the already canceled main competition for the renovation of the palace. CTK was informed of this today by councilor Pavel Vyhnánek (Prague Self). The left wing burned down in 2008. The palace was built in 1891.

"This is a logical outcome. The contract was announced in the previous electoral period, and we had doubts about it from the beginning," said Vyhnánek.

The company complained about discrepancies in the deadlines. It also argued that the requirements are disproportionate and discriminatory. Suppliers were disadvantaged who "possess the same or a similar reference contract, but instead of representing in zoning, construction or joint proceedings, represented investors in proceedings for a building permit or in proceedings for changes to the building before completion", the document states. Thus, Prague councilors should decide on the termination of the contract on Monday.

The leadership of Prague canceled the main tender for the renovation of the Industrial Palace last October. This tender was also initiated in the previous electoral period. The reason was that the previous city leadership approved the tender a year and a half ago without having a completed project. That was finished only last summer.

Vyhnánek told CTK today that as soon as the coronavirus pandemic subsides, the city will call for tenders again, both for the main renovation and for construction supervision. "As soon as the situation calms down, we will do it immediately. If the pandemic hadn't erupted, we would have done it already," he said.

The repair project preserves the original form of the building from 1891. It includes the completion of additional facilities and technical modifications to the monument-protected object.

The Industrial Palace was built on the occasion of the Jubilee Land Exhibition according to the design of architect Bedřich Munzberger. From the beginning, it served to host exhibitions and other cultural events, although it was originally supposed to be a temporary structure. Between 1952 and 1954, the communist regime decided to change its function, and the main hall of the palace was converted into a social and dance hall. Its name was also changed to Congress Palace, which was part of the then Park of Culture and Relaxation of Julius Fučík.