The change allowing the development of Smíchov is once again out of sight

Prague - The construction of a new urban district on fifty hectares around Smíchov Station in Prague is once again out of reach. The change to the zoning plan, which has been under discussion for years and is under the jurisdiction of the city hall, has reached its final phase, but the situation has changed after Prague’s TOP 09 signed a support agreement with the Social Democrats. According to ČTK information, TOP 09 had to put the problematic construction on hold based on the political agreement.
    The project by Sekyra Group is supported by Mayor Tomáš Hudeček (TOP 09). Earlier this year, he vigorously defended it from his position as the first deputy mayor. However, even as mayor, he does not have enough strength to see the change through to completion. It would not receive sufficient support from the councillors. "This is clearly one of the costs that the ruling TOP 09 has paid for the agreement with the ČSSD," a source who wished to remain unnamed told ČTK.
    According to the proposal from Sekyra Group, the railway warehouses and part of the tracks in the mentioned area should be replaced with office, commercial, and residential buildings within ten to twenty years. The redevelopment is also expected to affect Smíchov Station itself, where a bus terminal and a parking lot are planned. The estimated costs are around 15 billion. The company wanted to obtain the first zoning decision by mid-next year and begin construction in 2015.
    The last phase of the zoning plan change that would allow the construction was approved by the city council a few months ago and subsequently by the relevant committee of the council. However, it is now clear that it will not even be included in the agenda of the council's meetings by the end of the electoral term.