In Ostrava, the renovation of the Lower Area of Vítkovice has begun

Ostrava - Today, the restoration of industrial monuments in the so-called Lower Vítkovice Area officially began. The European Union and the state contributed a subsidy of 500 million crowns to it. The first to undergo reconstruction will be the sixth power plant, the gas holder, and one of the three blast furnaces. The protected sites will be transformed into an educational complex, a conference center, and a nature tour route. Thus, life should return to the industrial complex of Vítkovice in two to four years.
    The revitalization of the national cultural monument was initiated after five years of negotiations and preparations by the signature of the Minister of Culture Václav Riedlbauch and the Chairman of the Board of VÍTKOVICE, Jan Světlík, under a contract for the provision of the subsidy. Světlík represented the Lower Vítkovice Area association, which stands behind the project. Its members include companies from the VÍTKOVICE HOLDING group and the University of Mining and Technology in Ostrava, with the city of Ostrava and the Moravian-Silesian Region as partners.
    According to Světlík, the goal is to bring life back to the industrial complex, not just to restore the monuments. "We want to create a new, broader center for Ostrava," he said. The association has obtained a subsidy from European funds and the state budget aimed at supporting the use of national cultural heritage. "The establishment of an industrial park will give the dormant objects a new function and use that will be attractive to both professionals and the general public," the minister stated.
    By 2013, based on the architectural design by the Zemánek couple, an educational center, including an interactive museum, will be created from the sixth power plant. Blast furnace No. 1 will become an educational tour route with a view of Ostrava. Renowned architect Josef Pleskot is behind the transformation. According to his design, the massive gas holder from 1921 will be transformed into a multifunctional center with a conference hall for 1,500 people, a gallery, and a café.
    Thanks to the subsidy, research work can begin in the gas holder on the underground corridors through which water and gas flowed. According to historical documentation, they should have parameters that could be used as escape routes for visitors. "But we have not been in them yet," said Pleskot. The architect has fitted a four-story center into the circular gas holder, with construction set to begin next year.
    Today, the public could view the massive gas holder for the first time to see its interiors before reconstruction begins. The space, which Světlík noted has been largely unseen for 70 years, came to life, among other things, with a theatrical performance by the Chamber Stage Arena. "It is an impressive space. We can't even imagine that it will be doubled back to its original height," visitors agreed.
    The engineering company VÍTKOVICE, which owns the Lower Vítkovice Area, intends to gradually restore the entire industrial complex. There are 11 hectares of protected monuments, which have become part of European cultural heritage. On the remaining 140 hectares near the center of Ostrava, a cultural and social complex with scientific facilities, a university center, and public sports facilities is to be created. The development project New Vítkovice is expected to cost up to 60 billion crowns.