The representatives of Prague 1 deliberated for hours about the construction of a restroom on Petřín

Prague - The representatives of Prague 1 today, after several hours of discussion, did not approve the opposition's proposal to reject the construction of a facility with public toilets in the Velká Strahovská Garden at Petřín. Local residents are protesting against the construction. The city council previously decided that the plan "meets all the requirements for implementation"; the representatives approved essentially the same resolution today. The project is planned by the city hall, whose representatives, according to previous statements, support the project. Critics argue that it is an insensitive intervention in a culturally and environmentally significant area.

The city hall's plan includes the construction of a two-story garden facility. Public toilets are to be created on the ground floor. The building will be partially sunk into the landscape. A new viewpoint with seating is proposed between the building and the entrance gate from Vlašská Street. Against the city hall's intention, the Petřín for Life and Petřín Initiative associations have emerged. They dislike that an area, until now almost untouched by tourists, will attract their attention, causing locals to lose one of the few places in the center where they can relax.

The negative opinion of the city district regarding the project was proposed by ODS representative Eva Špačková, who believes the city hall should stand up for the interests of the residents of Prague 1, more than 2,000 of whom signed a petition to stop the construction. Representatives of the associations protesting against the city's plan also spoke at the city council meeting.

"It's not a bingo, but it's also not a disaster," commented the plan by councilor Petr Kučera (Green for One). Coalition representatives stated that the project has been in preparation for years, received land use decision in June of last year, and the city hall can basically only express its opinion on an already approved construction for which it is not the investor.

After several hours of discussion, the representatives ultimately approved a resolution proposed by Kučera that essentially mirrors the earlier council position. According to him, the facility project with toilets "meets all the requirements for implementation," and the resolution also includes a request to the city hall to develop a plan for the development and management of Petřín with the involvement of residents.

The city hall called on the leadership of the capital to inform residents in a timely manner about all significant projects and involve them in preparation. The representatives also rejected the construction of a new entrance to the Petřín Gardens from Nerudova Street, from which the city hall leadership has already backed down. The opposition labeled the approved resolution as vague.