Candidates offered Prague up to 170 million for the Municipal Courtyard

Prague - Bidders have offered the Prague City Hall approximately 90 to 170 million crowns in a competition for the dilapidated Gemeindehof in the center of the metropolis by the square. Lawyers are currently assessing whether the offers from the eight registered candidates meet the requirements of the tender, said the mayor's deputy Pavel Klega today to ČTK.
    The offered prices are relatively high, and according to the deputy, the dilapidated complex could this time be sold. However, there will still be negotiations with the municipality of the first city district regarding cooperation on the further use of the Gemeindehof, Klega stated.
    The councilors of Prague 1 have previously expressed interest in the damaged monument. According to their ideas, it could serve for cultural and social events for local residents and for associations.
    After the lawyers review the offers, the property commission of the councilors will deal with them. The final decision on the potential sale of the complex will be made by the council and the assembly.
    A private investor is expected to renovate the Gemeindehof. In the original buildings, apartments and smaller commercial spaces are to be created. The city envisions benches and a small water area in the courtyard. A new residential building is also to be built on the land. The building permit has already been issued. Earlier costs were estimated at 170 million crowns, while representatives of the Prague 1 municipality even spoke of 250 million.
    The city is trying to sell the Gemeindehof for the second time. Last year's competition failed. There were too few bidders, and the prices were reportedly low. Now, candidates had to offer at least 70 million crowns. According to estimates, the value of the complex is about five million crowns lower.
    The Gemeindehof once housed the firefighters and municipal services. In the last century, part of the complex was allocated to the heating plants, which the city regained in a court dispute. In August 2002, the buildings were hit by a flood. Since then, they have been practically empty. The Old Town Gemeindehof was originally a late Gothic building, built in the 16th century. Additional wings were created later. The current appearance of the complex dates back to the mid-19th century.