The Building Authority of Prague 8 has prohibited the activities of the center in Karlín Barracks

Prague - The building authority of Prague 8 has prohibited the activities of the cultural and social center Kasárna Karlín in Prague 8. The reason is that according to the authority, it was illegally using interior spaces that are neither approved nor structurally designated for the operation of the center. This was confirmed to ČTK today by spokesperson Martin Šalek. The organizers held film screenings, concerts, and operated a bar, café, or sauna at the barracks. Prague councilor Adam Zábranský (Pirates) told ČTK that he was surprised and saddened by the authority's decision. The city is currently discussing a change to the zoning plan that would allow the center. According to the center's spokesperson Radek Pavlovič, the barracks are cooperating with the authority, addressed the objections, and have already submitted a request for a retroactive building permit including all documents.

The owner of the building has been the capital city since January of this year, which exchanged it in a property swap with the state. In April of this year, the city decided to have an analysis done regarding the further development of the heritage-protected barracks.

"The building authority conducted an inspection of the premises last year and subsequently repeatedly urged the operator to rectify the deficiencies identified in repeated investigations. The interior spaces where the center is located are not structurally adapted for such operations, nor are they approved," Šalek said.

The cultural and social center under the name Kasárna Karlín first opened to the public in June 2017. In the courtyard of the building, the organizers built an outdoor cinema, host concerts, and people can get refreshments at one of the bars or cafés. The organization also built a sauna and a beach volleyball court.

"We have been working long-term and consistently to ensure that all formal obligations from our side are met, and we certainly do not underestimate this aspect from the very beginning. All substantive and formal deficiencies identified by the building authority on site have already been addressed in the past, and on Monday, June 3rd, we submitted all necessary documents for a retroactive building permit, including positive statements from the relevant authorities," said Pavlovič.

The decision to close is, according to Pavlovič, based solely on formal reasons, and the Kasárna Karlín center is ready to safely serve the public immediately. "We believe that the re-approval will take place as soon as possible, and then it will be possible to fully restore the operation of the cultural and social center again," he stated.

The leadership of Prague stands by the notion that the center should remain in the barracks. “However, it is not possible to act contrary to the law, and at the moment when the building authority of Prague 8 prohibited the activities, there is nothing left but to comply. We did not initiate this decision of the state administration, and it saddens me greatly. I find it peculiar that for about seven years, during which Kasárna Karlín has been in operation, the building authority had no problem, and shortly after the property was transferred from the state to Prague, without any other changes, the building authority issued a ban on activities," stated Zábranský.

According to him, the basic problem lies precisely in the unapproved buildings and the inconsistency with the zoning plan, as the barracks are marked as an area for the army and security. The capital city is already addressing the change to the zoning plan. "I believe that at the turn of this year and the next, the council will issue the change. As for the approval of the buildings, that mainly falls on the responsibility of the current user, who has realized the buildings in recent years and, according to my information, has already submitted a request for a retroactive building permit to the building authority. I hope it will be successful," added Zábranský.

In January of this year, the leadership of Prague decided to have an analysis conducted regarding the future use of the barracks. The document will be prepared by the city organization Pražská developerská společnost (PDS) and will propose what could be in the area. According to earlier statements from city representatives, the monument could be used for educational and social activities. Housing for students could also be created.

The historic building of the Karlín barracks dates back to the 19th century and was used for military purposes during both Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. The building has been a heritage site since 1958. The state has repeatedly tried to sell the complex in the past, but without success.