Valašské Klobouky are planning a reconstruction of Masaryk Square

Valašské Klobouky (Zlínsko) - Valašské Klobouky in the Zlín region are planning a reconstruction of Masaryk Square. The project will be challenging for the town with a population of five thousand. The budget may reach tens of millions of korunas, and the implementation will undoubtedly depend on the success of the grant application, Mayor Eliška Olšáková informed ČTK today.

The town has been considering the reconstruction of the central public space for some time; three years ago, architects proposed possible designs for the square as part of the nationwide competition for the Petr Parléř Award. Five designs were subsequently displayed in the town, including the winning one, which identified the main problems of the square as its fragmentation, various barriers, isolation of historical landmarks, and unregulated traffic.

Residents of the town have now also expressed their views on the possible future design of the square, primarily addressing the organization of traffic and parking, accessibility, and unification of surfaces, as well as planting greenery or the potential construction in the upper left part of the square.

"To reconstruct Masaryk Square so that it is functional and beautiful is a task of extraordinary importance. The citizens themselves assured us of this when they highlighted this issue as one of the ten most important during a public forum, and they reaffirmed their interest during the round table discussion," stated Olšáková.

Comments from residents will be taken into account when finalizing the proposal. "There was even criticism that none of the study authors addressed the issue of relocating the bus station from the lower part of the square," said Petr Kozel from the Valašskloboucké Business Center, who moderated the discussion with the people. He noted that there was a consensus on the need to eliminate traffic through the square and the necessity of unifying the terrain and materials of the square's spaces. People were also interested in parking options in the square, the potential creation of parking lots, and a quiet zone, as well as soundproofing of the main thoroughfare.