The “Old Town Gate” project aims to bring residents and visitors to the capital into the area of ​​a modernized hotel, to make Fomran’s piazza and Curie’s Square and Dvořák’s embankment an attractive public space, and billionaires promise a new fitness and spa center. Unsightly technical objects should disappear, architectural plans promise far more greenery and water features. It will be possible to enter the hotel from the other side of the Vltava, the embankment is to be connected to Pařížská Street by an underpass.

“People’s space will change significantly. We believe that the winning design by TaK Architects is the best for the public, “said investors’ representative Michal Smrek on Wednesday at a public online debate organized by Prague 1.” We believe that the project is in line with the zoning plan. “

The central part of the city in this monitored “blockbuster” acts rather in the secondary role of a kind of moderator. The “scenario” of the whole story was significantly changed by the decision of the municipality’s management in early February, according to which the city’s Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Prague) should file objections in territorial proceedings. The reason is a glass building on the corner of Pařížská and Bílkova streets, due to which petitions are being prepared and hundreds of locals, including environmental activists from Arnika, are protesting loudly. According to them, it is a “black” building.

IPR Prague: Lack of participation

And here comes the “comic scene”: IPR Prague has approved the new building. But now the magistrates are saying – or rather, because of political pressure, they have to? – that “there has not been a sufficient participation process between citizens” and that the “cube” in the square in front of the hotel is not in line with the current zoning plan.

However, according to Pražský deník, authorities and institutions, despite the complex approval process, argue that it is possible to build in similar areas if the investor compensates the built-up part elsewhere. The owner of the hotel and private land in the area probably does not break the set rules. After all, for example, they have already obtained the consent of the municipal conservationists, and ministerial officials have also assessed their project regarding the protection of the InterContinental’s monuments. Building permit missing (only).

However, another character enters the story – Tomáš Bajusz: “The Citizens of Prague 1 Association has found out that a fake game is being played with the public. It is assisted by some local politicians, influential officials and conservationists. If unconsciously, we are in Kocourkov. If we consciously, we will be in Palermo. ”Bajusz, who is organizing the petition, has previously claimed that some representatives of the capital have” surprisingly “changed their minds and supported the construction of a shopping and office center. Civic Association in Press Release he pointed out several riddles and irregularities throughout the case. To many, the building is reminiscent of the infamous “Prior” on the square in Jihlava.

However, architect Marek Tichý defended himself during the debate that the height of the controversial building should be 16.5 meters with three floors. According to Tichý, the buildings in the area are 21 to 27 meters high. He also added that the area is not undeveloped, because basically the roof of the above ground is a garage. He pointed out the benefits of the whole revitalization. He promised that the project would not burden the inhabitants with “light smog”, and that transport services should be improved, according to the participants in the debates.

“With all due respect to opponents, the transformation is in line with legislative procedures. We have had a long-standing discussion with many experts and institutions on the topic of whether the project is acceptable in the context of the Prague Monument Reserve. ”Proponents of the whole project oppose dissatisfied residents by saying that the city center could become an open-air museum. “We welcome the fact that conservationists also want to sensitively influence this area, and not preserve it in the condition of the 1960s,” said Jakub Dyba, a representative of the hotel’s owners.

The Čižinští brothers from the Prague group play an interesting role in the thrilling “film”. Both politicians (Pavel is the mayor of the central part of the city and Jan is one of the municipal leaders) grew up in the neighboring Maiselova street, on today’s Forman Square they kicked with a ball and rode scooters. Their mother still lives in the apartment overlooking the incriminated place. That is why the sons are allegedly pushing the authorities to stop the construction. According to the List of Reports, the head of the semi-state company ČEZ, Daniel Beneš, who also lives in the locality, is also against the stop.

“Is this the revenge of the Čižinský brothers for changing the coalition in Prague 1?” Smrek asked at the heated January meeting. At the beginning of last year, Pavel was replaced as mayor by Petr Hejma (We, What We Live Here / STAN). The new coalition, which still has the ODS and YES, does not oppose the developer’s intentions.

“We want everything to be in accordance with the law. Some people like the project, some do not like it, “said the current mayor vaguely. According to Hejma, it is important for the town hall that the place fulfills mainly a recreational function. “I would like housing to be created in the renovated and new houses in the center, but I have to respect private ownership and the market dictates what the demand is for.”

Investor Representative: If politicians cross borders, we will defend ourselves

When asked by the Prague daily what investors say about Čižinský pressure, Smrek did not want to say much: “But if politicians are to cross the limits set by law, we will have to defend ourselves.” news. We may have a subjective opinion on this, but we must not pass it on to the process. “

The mayor of Prague 7, which lies on the other bank of the river, claims that he has been fighting for an empty area in front of the hotel for a long time. According to Jan Čižinský, the allegation of a conflict of interest is asburden. His brother Pavel reminded that Jiří Pospíšil (chairman of the representatives of the coalition group United Forces for Prague, which includes TOP 09, STAN and KDU-ČSL) promised before the municipal elections in 2018: “We will take all necessary steps to keep the area without development. “It simply came to our notice then.

Bajusz et al. collected hundreds of signatures on the petition. They are supported by celebrities, including actress Eliška Balzerová and musician Michal Pavlíček. Billionaires, on the other hand, do not understand the efforts of the politicians involved to “immobilize” them. After all, Prague will not pay even a crown, while its commercial prestige may increase. In any case, the average “viewer” finds it difficult to orient himself while watching the “movie” on Forman’s “plaza”. How (and when) will this end?