The construction of the embankment will cost the Liberec Region 130 million CZK, one-fifth less than expected

Liberec - The construction of the embankment by the Lužická Nisa in Liberec, which is part of the second phase of the cultivation of the area surrounding the regional capital, will cost the Liberec Region 130.316 million crowns, which is almost one fifth less than the original estimates by the project designers. The region received six bids for the construction, with the most favorable price won by the company CL-Evans. Work is expected to begin in the spring, with the company having 330 days to complete it, so it will be finished next year, said Zbyněk Miklík (Pirates), deputy governor, in response to a query from ČTK today.

The construction is part of a billion-crown project to cultivate the lower center of Liberec. It started in 2014, when the region purchased buildings and land from VÚTS (formerly the Research Institute of Textile Machinery) adjacent to its headquarters. The area, covering more than 11,000 square meters, was bought for 125 million crowns. The embankment follows the first phase, which included a parking garage for 244 cars, opened by the region on January 2. The second phase will involve a fundamental transformation of the broken-up areas around the regional office, which have served as parking lots until now.

The project will also include a new direct entrance to the regional office via a footbridge, which was already part of the original design by architect Zdeněk Plesník from the late 1960s. Workers will extend the access stairs, complicating access to the building. "In addition to greenery and the footbridge, there will be refreshments including public toilets, a water feature, and a playground for children," Miklík added.

"But the main thing is the descent to the Nisa, which was the most challenging part of the preparation. It will allow visitors to go down to the river and dip their feet in the water. A tree will grow there to create a pleasant climate," said David Pavlišta, the project's co-author from the re: architekti studio, earlier in an interview with ČTK. The city of Liberec is also expected to follow up with its part of the construction, with modifications on the left side from the river's perspective, and in the future, it is also planned for a tram to run along the street by the Nisa.

The Liberec Region began the reclamation of this part of the city ten years ago when it purchased buildings and land from VÚTS. The region has already invested half a billion crowns into the reconstruction of the former administrative building into a European House and the renovation of former workshops, which today house among other things a business incubator and an archive. The parking garage cost an additional 246 million crowns. Part of the costs of revitalizing the area has been covered by grants. According to Miklík, grants will also help finance the embankment, and the region could receive around 25 million crowns, depending on the amount of greenery.