Zlín will announce a competition for the modernization of the city center

Zlín - The new leadership of the Zlín city hall, which emerged after last autumn's municipal elections, will announce several architectural competitions for the modification of the Zlín city center. This was announced to journalists today by councilor Pavel Jungmann (M.O.R.). The previous leadership, however, had planned that the architectural proposal for the entire area would be developed by AI-DESIGN, the company of architect Eva Jiřičná. The investment in the modifications will amount to several tens of millions of crowns.
    The former city hall leadership, led by the mayor from ODS, Irena Ondrová, referred to the fact that it concerns the surroundings of the Congress Center and that the facility, costing several hundred million crowns, comes from the workshop of architect Jiřičná. "We approached AI-DESIGN to ensure a logical continuity in the concept of the entire space," Ondrová stated at that time.
    The new competitions will relate to Náměstí Práce, Komenský Park, T. G. Masaryk Square, the area between the Prior department store and the market, and the Pod Kaštany marketplace, including the public transport stop.
    Opposition councilor Ondřej Andrys told ČTK today that it is essential for the individual parts to be architecturally connected. "We will only see that in the outcome, which we are, of course, curious about. I just hope that these steps do not slow down the entire process of transforming this space," he added.
    The first to be reconstructed will be the underpass connecting the factory complex with Náměstí Práce. The investment will be divided into three phases. According to Jungmann, the first phase will be crucial, as the city hall wants to build an elevator, modernize the interior parts of the underpass, repair the public restrooms, install lighting and a camera system, and renovate the technical facilities of the underpass.
    "A fundamental change will be the demolition of above-ground structures that are inadequate and disrupt the architectural concept of the location. They will be replaced by elegant glass exits," Jungmann described the plans. Work will likely begin in June of next year and finish in February 2013.
    After last October's elections in Zlín, the city hall leadership was completely renewed. The coalition was formed by TOP 09, STAN, M.O.R. - for the Moral Purification of the City Hall, the Zlín Movement of Independents, VV, and the Christian Democrats. In opposition were representatives of ODS and ČSSD, who formed a coalition with KDU-ČSL in the previous electoral term, and the communists.