Val. Meziříčí is preparing a competition for a new town hall in the area of Křižanovy sawmill

Valašské Meziříčí (Vsetín District) – Valašské Meziříčí in the Vsetín District wants to build a new municipal office in the area of the former Křižan sawmill. The office is currently located in four buildings, and especially the building on Zašovská Street needs renovation, city spokesperson Jakub Mikuš stated today in a press release. The option of constructing the building in the Křižan sawmill area received the most support from the councilors, with costs estimated at 285 million crowns.

The municipal office is located in buildings on the square and in Soudní, Komenského, and Zašovská streets. It is visited by over 100,000 people annually. "The fragmentation of workplaces and the unsatisfactory condition of the building on Zašovská Street lead us to find the optimal solution to this situation. We have three options available: renovating the existing building on Zašovská Street, converting the former food industry school on Sokolská Street, or constructing a new building," said Mayor Robert Stržínek (ANO).

If the office is located in the building on Sokolská Street, the city would consolidate all workplaces in one location, with estimated costs of 232 million crowns. "The reason is primarily the need to modify Pospíšilova Street and to build a new parking garage with a capacity of 150 spaces. The costs for one parking space range between 600,000 to 900,000 crowns," stated David Černoch, head of the municipal services department.

The option of renovating the building on Zašovská Street, with costs of about 211 million crowns, offers sufficient capacity for the municipal police as well. "In this case, the costs for building parking spaces, modifying roadways, or landscaping and adding furniture must be added to the price. The renovation would also be challenging due to the need to ensure the construction, which is necessary because of the materials used in the past. Specifically, the hazardous asbestos is part of the building elements of the southern façade," Černoch noted.

For the possible construction of the new office, the municipality has identified three locations: the area of the former barracks, a gap in Masaryk Street, and the site of the former Křižan sawmill. These are areas owned by the city, while in the gap on Masaryk Street, Valašské Meziříčí owns about half of the land.

"We have thoroughly discussed and considered all the proposed options within the council. We see the construction of a new municipal office building in the area of the former Křižan sawmill as the most suitable solution, which was supported by a majority of the 15 councilors," the mayor stated. The city is preparing an architectural-urban competition for the entire area. "An advantage is also the accessibility of the planned transport terminal. We can sell or convert the existing building on Zašovská Street into apartments," the mayor mentioned. However, the new office will not be established in the city for at least five years.