The Jihlava city hall will discuss the square modification studies with the people online

Jihlava - The architectural study for the modifications of the historic Masaryk Square in Jihlava will be discussed by the city hall with residents online due to the coronavirus. People can express their opinions on the proposal published on the city website until May 20. The city has promised to take their suggestions into account when finalizing the study. An online conference with architects and city representatives will be held on May 12. This was reported today in a press release by Mayor Karolína Koubová (Forum Jihlava).

A public meeting for this study scheduled for March 18 was canceled due to the coronavirus. According to the mayor, the city will receive feedback on the architectural study online for the first time. "I believe that this new method will prove to be effective, reach more people, and help ensure safe yet vibrant information sharing," she stated.

The study follows an architectural competition that was concluded in 2018. It was developed by the winning atelier MCA, represented by Miroslav Cikán, Pavla Melková, and Radek Novotný. According to the city hall, the architects have incorporated comments from relevant authorities, such as conservationists or environmental agencies, into the current proposal.

Masaryk Square, covering an area of 3.7 hectares, is one of the largest in the country and is part of the city's heritage reserve. The estimated cost of the proposed modifications to the area is 200 million crowns excluding tax, according to earlier city data. Among other things, the number of trees will be increased, with the study proposing 103 compared to the current 57. It also addresses possible modifications to the appearance of the department store (formerly Prior) in the center of the square, including a ramp for its deliveries. However, this building is privately owned, so its modifications will not be part of the project documentation according to the architects.

Last month, the city hall informed that it expects lower revenues this year due to the coronavirus crisis, which means it will have to cancel or suspend some planned investments. However, the revitalization of Masaryk Square has been included among the priorities that the Jihlava coalition wants to pursue. The modifications to the square are planned to be carried out in phases, with the first phase expected to start no later than next year.