Reconstruction of Karlovo Square in Kolín can begin

Kolin - The planned reconstruction of Karlovo náměstí in Kolin, which will prevent this year's traditional Kmoch's Kolín brass band festival from taking place, can begin. The city hall will sign a contract with the contractor, the company Geosan, on Wednesday. The selection process was won with a bid of 35 million crowns. Of this, 31.6 million crowns will be covered by a state grant, and the remainder will be financed by the city from its own resources, said deputy mayor Jiří Buřič to reporters today.
According to him, a specific work schedule will be known next week. The reconstruction will be completed this year. The city hall is also preparing to announce a tender for suppliers of greenery or furniture.
The city will cover the repair of construction work related to the foundation and surface of the square. The reconstruction of engineering networks and the steam pipeline will be paid for by their owners. Geosan will also repair the adjacent streets Rubešova and Husova.
The change in the appearance of Karlovo náměstí was first discussed in 1999 and 2000 when the city sold shares of energy companies. From the proceeds, it decided to cover, among other things, the repair of the square. The city hall announced an architectural competition as early as 2001. However, the Czech Chamber of Architects deemed it irregular at the time, so no one applied for the competition.
The city hall then commissioned four selected architects to develop a study. From them, it ultimately chose the proposal of Jana Chmelová. Her project was discussed for over a year, and residents could also raise objections to it.
Karlovo náměstí is the natural center of the city. It is lined with a number of houses with baroque gables. In its center stands a sandstone fountain and a plague column from 1682. At the corner of the square on the northern side stands the town hall, which has been owned by the city since 1494.