Amádeus wants to build a shopping center in Plzeň again, it is supposed to be smaller

Three years ago, the people of Plzeň rejected the multifunctional complex Corso Americká worth 2.5 billion crowns in a referendum. The results of the referendum obligated the city to take all steps against the construction.

The investor has already submitted its new intention to the city administration, which has not yet seen it. Besides being a smaller construction, Corso is intended to serve as a leisure center. The investor plans sports facilities on the roof and, if an agreement is reached with the city, an ice arena. He wants to build a space for social and cultural events in the foyer. "The people of Plzeň do not deserve just a construction pit there," said Samec. The large vacant lot is currently unused, with part of it being a parking lot.

The original project counted on building mainly on the land owned by the investor, with only peripheral plots being owned by the city, which had offered them for lease. The construction obtained all opinions necessary for approval in the zoning process. After the referendum in January 2013, the city council rejected the construction of the center on its land, and the building authority halted the approval process as a result. This January, the investor filed a lawsuit against the city for compensation for the frustrated investment, claiming 1.9 billion crowns. Plzeň rejects the compensation. The court, which will last several months, began in November and so far, three hearings have been held where documentary evidence was presented, witnesses and experts from the field were heard.

Amádeus Plzeň, which announced last January that it was terminating the project due to the city's long-term rejectionist stance towards resolving the situation, is now requesting the issuance of a zoning decision for construction solely on its land. "The city even claims in the court proceedings, to our pleasant surprise, that Amádeus has always been able to and can realize the project, and moreover without the city's approval. The only condition for this is that the construction does not stand on city land," said Samec.

The entire area of 2.4 hectares, after the demolition of the cultural house carried out by Amádeus, has been offered on the market this year. The city is negotiating with partners who have contacted them as potential buyers of the land from Amádeus.