From the former dumpling factory, Chodov wants to build a library

Chodov - The city of Chodov in the Sokolov region plans to build a municipal library in the former dumpling production facility. The new library will include reading sections for children and adults, as well as a café or community hall. The estimated construction costs amount to 40 million crowns, half of which the city hall could cover through a state subsidy, said Chodov's mayor Patrik Pizinger (Local) to reporters today.

"We are at the very start, so we have announced a tender for the contractor, if the price corresponds to the project cost, we would sign a contract with the contractor this year, and construction work could begin in the fall," said Pizinger. The new library could then start serving readers by the end of next year.

For the anticipated costs, the city has been promised a grant from the Ministry for Regional Development for the regeneration of brownfields amounting to 50 percent. According to the mayor, it will be paid out in advance, allowing the city hall to finance the project continuously.

The building was originally designed as a kindergarten with a nursery. Its last use was as a dumpling production facility. The company left the building three years ago, and it has been empty since then. The building also caught fire years ago.

The designers propose to preserve the load-bearing structures, ceilings, and roof from the original building, while the rest will be repaired. The project also includes modifications to the outdoor space, where a park will be created. The ground floor will feature a section for adults, a café, and a reception. A hall for cultural events will be located in the basement. The designers drew inspiration from modern European libraries when designing the library, emphasizing the sustainability of the building.

"The original project included other elements, but we couldn't fit within the financial limit. The building is prepared so that in a few years a rooftop terrace can be added, where weddings might take place, along with a green roof," said architect Jan Kopecký from Kopecký Atelier.

Currently, the municipal library is located in a building in the square, which previously housed apartments. However, the spaces are inadequate as the building does not have an elevator, making it inaccessible. The town of thirteen thousand will retain the current library building and look for other uses for it.