Ústí is preparing a redevelopment of the Perla complex, which will begin no earlier than next year

Ústí nad Orlicí - A part of the area of the former textile factory Perla will begin to be reconstructed by the city hall in Ústí nad Orlicí next year at the earliest, but more likely in the year after that. The abandoned administrative building should in the future be used by local organizations, a library, a museum, a cultural center, or interest groups. CTK was informed today by Mayor Petr Hájek (Oušťáci). The office has owned the vast site in the city center since 2010.
    "We are carefully monitoring European subsidies; the first calls could be as early as autumn. If I am a very optimistic person, construction work could start in 2016, but more likely in a year or later," said Hájek.
    The city wants to retain about a third of the area, primarily the street building where the textile factory management used to reside. The remaining part will be offered to investors. This year, a regulatory plan will be prepared. The location will be suitable for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Developers can build rental housing there.
    "We do not want supermarkets there and we do not want to burden the city with more traffic. This year we are facing paperwork, including preparing a project and obtaining a construction permit for our part," said Hájek.
    The authors of architectural studies estimated that the reconstruction of the entire area will cost between 400 and 450 million crowns. The city is expected to spend 240 to 260 million crowns on its investments. The city's contribution to the European project is estimated to be between 50 and 70 million crowns.
    "We would have to take out a loan. Our coalition's program statement includes revitalizing Perla," said Hájek.
    The former textile factory was purchased by the city hall in 2010 for 30 million crowns. The factory went bankrupt a year earlier and had previously employed 400 people. The area covers nearly 32,000 square meters, of which the built-up area represents over 27,000 square meters. Currently, part of the area includes a parking lot, warehouses, small production, and two shops, but a larger part is empty.