The representatives of Prague 7 approved the appearance of the Stromovka Palace building

Prague - The Prague 7 council today approved the modification of the shopping center Palác Stromovka, which will be built on city land between Veletržní, Strojnická, and U Studánky streets. At the same time, they withdrew the administrative lawsuit in which they originally requested the cancellation of the building permit. Disputes regarding the building have been ongoing for several months. The addendum to the lease agreement closed today is criticized by the local ODS, which believes it is primarily advantageous for the private investor.

The building will be lower than the original design, the facade will change, and it will adhere to the so-called street lines. There will be parking spaces in the underground area designated for the residents of Prague 7. A memorial will be established. It should be completed in 2018.

Local residents and the current leadership of the Prague 7 council formerly opposed the original project. They were concerned about the size of the project, which they believed was oversized and would worsen the traffic situation in the area.

The project will, by agreement with the Holešovický trojúhelník company, be three floors lower, which in reality means a decrease of ten meters. "The cylinder that bothered the conservationists will not be there; instead, a passage and entrances directly from the street will be added. The project will have windows and will be a building that completes the street, not ignores it," said Mayor Jan Čižinský (KDU-ČSL). Residents of Prague 7 will be able to park in the underground garages at night, paying 20 crowns per night for parking.

The lease agreement for the land, which belongs to Prague 7, will be for 99 years; the original agreement was for 105 years. The rent for the land will not change and will remain five million crowns per year.

According to the chairman of the ODS in Prague 7, Tomáš Kaštovský, the terms of the addendum to the lease agreement are advantageous primarily for the private investor. "Until the completion of the building, Prague 7 will receive less rent than before the addendum was signed. Its expenses, on the other hand, will increase," claims Kaštovský. According to him, the addendum actually extends the lease of the land by 14 years and also cancels the option for the council to request the investor to prepay the rent.