Liberec - The representatives of the Liberec Region today approved, by a majority vote, the intention to purchase the Ještěd mountain hotel and transmitter, which the Czech Radiocommunications offered to the region in April. The technical monument celebrated 35 years since its opening in July. The amount the region will pay for it will be the subject of further negotiations. The residual price at the beginning of the year was around 72 million crowns, but in the meantime, the radiocommunications invested additional funds into the facility. Representatives from the opposition Communist Party and the Open Society Party requested additional information regarding the estimated costs needed for the reconstruction of Ještěd and its operation, yet they still supported the intention. "Czech Radiocommunications prepared a project for the reconstruction of the exterior, for which they unsuccessfully applied for a grant from Norwegian funds for about 70 to 80 million crowns," said Deputy Governor Radim Zika, who is leading the negotiations on the purchase of the transmitter. According to him, the interiors also need repair, as it is a condition for listing on the UNESCO heritage list. According to Zika, the representatives should receive the estimated costs in September. The Ještěd mountain hotel is a Czech building of the century. The hyperboloid, 94 meters high, uniquely combines the function of a transmitter, hotel, and restaurant. It has served the public since July 9, 1973, and its author Karel Hubáček received the Perret Award from the International Union of Architects for the project in 1969. The jury stated at the time that the work excels in clarity and the happy harmony with which it connects to the surrounding landscape. Experts and laypeople alike are still captivated by the way the building enhances the silhouette of the 1012-meter high mountain. However, the structure urgently needs renovation, as it lacks a connection to the sewage system. "In rainy weather, the exterior leaks and water gets inside," added Zika. Czech Radiocommunications, which acquired Ještěd in 2000 for 85 million crowns, have invested over 20 million crowns into the facility. They do not have funds for further investments. Therefore, in April, they offered Ještěd not only to the region but also to the city of Liberec. However, the city showed no interest. Nevertheless, in digital broadcasting, Czech Radiocommunications still count on utilizing Ještěd for coverage of the Liberec Region, which is very rugged. Kamil Chalupa, the company's spokesman, stated this earlier. A condition for the sale and reconstruction is therefore the preservation of access to broadcasting and telecommunications technologies.
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