In the former academy in Havlíčkův Brod, there may be a shelter for mothers

Havlíčkův Brod - An asylum house for mothers with children could be established in the former business academy in Havlíčkův Brod. The century-old building in the center has been empty for seven years, and the city is unsuccessfully searching for a use for it. It would be converted into an asylum house if a project with estimated costs of 79 million crowns receives a subsidy. The city councilors decided on this at today's meeting.

"The business academy is a building that has been coming back to us in council discussions for several years," reminded Deputy Mayor Libor Honzárek (TOP 09), who presented the proposal. The town hall originally wanted to sell the school but was unsuccessful. Then it sought potential uses with experts, for example, as a multipurpose or apartment building. The building could contain 20 small apartments of 35 square meters, which are in demand. The reconstruction would cost 66 million crowns, but according to the town hall, there are no subsidies for apartments.

According to Honzárek, the most realistic option appears to be converting the former school into an asylum house, which will be expensive since it is a facility similar to a healthcare establishment. "Essentially, the entire interior of the building would need to be completely reconstructed," he stated. Therefore, the city would only proceed with the investment if it receives a subsidy.

The asylum house for mothers in Havlíčkův Brod is run by the regional charity, but following the expected changes in the social services law, this facility will no longer meet the requirements, according to information on the city's website.

Councilor Jiří Čáslavský (Změna pro Havlíčkův Brod) said he is against the reconstruction into an asylum house or apartments because it is a building with large rooms. "It has enormous ceilings and tall windows, so don't turn it into cells," he said. According to him, it would be better to offer the empty school to a museum, gallery, or associations.

"Any modification will always cost in the tens of millions of crowns, no matter what it's for," countered councilor Ivan Kuželka (SNK Broďáci). He recalled that the school building was rejected as inadequate by the regional library. The region, along with the city, is now preparing to build a new regional library in Havlíčkův Brod on "greenfield" land.