Mayor of Opava: Crestyl is willing to negotiate the cancellation of the project

Opava - The possibility that green areas in the historical center of Opava will not be filled with another shopping center is becoming more concrete. The mayor of the city, Radim Křupala (ČSSD), told reporters today that the development company Crestyl, which has a signed contract with the city for the project, is willing to negotiate its potential cancellation. However, it is still unclear how much the city would have to pay for the failed investment. According to Křupala, it will amount to several tens of millions of crowns. The statement from the developer is being verified by ČTK.

"The path to terminate the contract is beginning to open. That possibility is being outlined. Crestyl is willing to discuss it," said the mayor. He had discussions with the developer a few days ago. According to him, it will be clear already in June how much the city will have to pay for a potential withdrawal from the contract. There are two items - the company's costs incurred in the project and any lost profit. City representatives previously stated that they would be willing to cover only the incurred costs.

According to Křupala, everything must be well prepared. He wants to gain the support of the opposition as well. The first step towards terminating the contract should then be made by the city in June. By that time, the company should provide a concrete sum. "Crestyl understands the situation. That the city is unable to cover everything. We expect a compromise and positive proposal from them," said the mayor. The company, according to him, continues to prepare the project independently; it is currently finalizing the documentation for the zoning process.

Since December, the mayor has been gathering the opinions of city councilors. According to him, the majority, about two-thirds, are in favor of cancelling the project. However, much depends on specific conditions, namely how much the company will demand. The deputy mayor, Martin Víteček (SNK), did not want to disclose the opinion of his council club to ČTK. Everything, according to him, is about agreements. The deputy mayor Dalibor Halátek (Change for Opava) also did not want to be specific. The deputy from KDU-ČSL, Josef Stiborský, said that everything would depend on the proposed conditions. "As KDU-ČSL, we had in our election program the preservation of space without construction," he added.

The contract with Crestyl was concluded by the then city leaders in 2005. However, negotiations have been dragging on since then, and in the meantime, another shopping center, Breda & Weinstein, has emerged not far from the planned site. With an area of more than 25,000 square meters, it offers space for more than 100 shops, a multiplex with six screens, restaurants, and a café.

According to the signed agreement, Crestyl is to develop the land under the already demolished high-rise building from the 1970s and neighboring parks, which were created in 1945 after the destruction of buildings damaged in the war. Some residents of the city disagree with its development. They wish for a quiet zone to remain there. A petition to stop the project was signed by 1,300 people in 2011. This year, 3,200 opponents of the construction signed a request for a referendum.

The contract is disadvantageous for the city, especially in that if it withdraws from it, it will have to pay the company. This solution would also be welcomed by the initiator of the referendum, Martin Klimeš. "It is better to pay a penalty than to suffer some architecture there for 200 years that just sucks the life out of the city," he said.