The game for the seat of the EU “NASA” is in the final, the hot candidate is Palmovka
The orphaned torso of the Nová Palmovka center under construction in Prague-Libno could become the new headquarters of the European Space Agency (EUSPA). For the Prague City Hall, this is the number one option for using a canned building. The EU agency is currently based in Holešovice, near the Vltavská metro station. However, the premises of the prestigious European institutions are no longer enough after its expansion.
“At the moment, the technical and safety requirements for the new building have already been completed, and the Ministry of Finance has basically completed the final search for the object. Now, together with the City of Prague, we are discussing whether it would be appropriate to use the Palmovka Center for these purposes, “said Anna Vasko from the press department of the Ministry of Finance. It is the office headed by Zbyněk Stanjura (ODS) that is primarily in charge of securing the new headquarters.
The relocation of the EU agency to Palmovka is the best solution for the management of Prague. “At the moment, this is the preferred option for Prague. We are now checking to see if the agency can fit in there. We will know very soon, “Deputy Mayor of Prague Petr Hlaváček told SZ Business.
The contract for the new headquarters of the “European NASA” has been busy since last year. As List News reported last June, developers such as Penta Real Estate and Sekyra Group offered their premises. However, the agency itself did not issue its requirements until the autumn of 2021. Among other things, they include strict safety criteria and at the same time a suitable working background for 550 people.
We are convinced that the government will provide us with the necessary facilities.
“The key for further progress was the agreement between the Czech Republic and EUSPA from the end of November 2021 that a large data center would not be originally required within the searched building and that this data center would be provided externally through the State Treasury Center Shared Services under the Ministry of Finance. Thanks to this, the EUSPA specifications of the parties of the new building could be completed, “said Martin Brychta, a spokesman for the Ministry of Transport, which is cooperating in procuring the new headquarters.
The agency is now waiting for a final offer. “The Czech Republic is the host country for our headquarters and the selection of facilities is made by the Czech government in accordance with the needs of EUSPA. We are convinced that the government will provide us with the necessary facilities. Therefore, we expect an official proposal at the beginning of 2022, “said Marie Menardová, a spokeswoman for the European Space Agency.
Průša is also interested
The Nová Palmovka Center was originally intended to become the new town hall of Prague 8. However, after the outbreak of complex property disputes and the termination of the construction contract, only an abandoned concrete torso has stood on the corner of Sokolovská and Zenklova streets for years. The difficult situation was solved only last year, when the building was taken over by Prague.
EUSPA is not the only one interested in Nová Palmovka. At the end of last year, the 3D printer Josef Průša offered to buy the building under construction. His company Prusa Research is growing rapidly and is looking for new premises for its headquarters and other activities.
“In the event that the negotiations with the EU agency EUSPA end for reasons, there will be a political meeting and a final procedure will be prepared, in which Mr. Průša can undoubtedly also apply. Or it will be decided that the building will be converted for a city company. All this would certainly be preceded by an analysis of what is more advantageous for the city, “added Deputy Hlaváček.
EUSPA manages the European Union’s space programs, including, for example, the European navigation system Galileo. This important institution, then known as GSA, moved to Prague in 2012.