Prague 1 plans to make criticized adjustments to the Anensky Triangle in the summer
Prague – Prague 1 plans to begin modifications to the so-called Anensky Triangle on Smetana’s Embankment in July, where a paved square is to be built. They should follow up on the new work on the waterfront, which is carried out by the municipality and is to be completed by the end of June. However, the City Hall of Prague 1 has yet to complete an amendment to a previously concluded construction contract due to rising prices. The mayor of the city district Petr Hejma (STAN) told ČTK. The intention is criticized by the opposition.
The project originally provided for the felling of a grown maple, but after criticism from the opposition and locals, the town hall withdrew. The removal of the tree was to enable access to the so-called tentacle, ie a passage in the embankment wall originally intended to capture rafts from the river. In the end, it will not be passable. However, critics do not like the remaining plan to replace the grassy plot with a cobbled square.
According to Hejma, the criticism is unfounded and the place will be in a new form a cultivated urban space with plenty of greenery. He added that the town hall had to remodel the whole project in order to preserve the tree. “It took quite a long time, because exactly where the silver maple is, there should have been a retention tank to hold rainwater,” he said.
The city will plant a second mature tree in the area and have a water feature and a drinking fountain built. He will build a grassy mound around the existing tree. “The goal is by the end of September to get it done.” said the mayor.
He added, however, that due to the delay, the city district must negotiate the price for the work before the start of work, because they have objectively increased significantly since the tender. Modification order a few years ago by Public Procurement Bulletin OHL ŽS and Inpros Praha won with a price of about 21 million crowns without VAT. “The construction contractor has calculated the work at the price of the jump in 2017. As the prices have risen, of course the contractor does not want to go into it. It is under negotiation,” the mayor explained.
At the same time, the city district is preparing a footbridge on the Vltava, connecting the already accessible tentacle at Hollar with the one that the town hall originally wanted to open. It is two-thirds accessible from the river, and according to Hejma, a smaller stage could be created there, accessible via a new footbridge and stairs from Smetana’s embankment. “I wish it could happen this year,” said the mayor.
The city is now working on landscaping, which will significantly widen the sidewalk on the east side and modify tram stops. The Karlovy Lázně stop will be two-way and the Národní divadlo u Hollaru stop will move to the Žofín level, where trams will be built in both directions.