The Kasárna Karlín area could be offered in a public auction

Prague - The area of Karlín Barracks could be offered for sale in a public auction or through a selection process. However, first, the Office for Representation of the State in Property Matters (ÚZSVM), which became its administrator this year, will offer it for use to state organizational units. In response to a question from ČTK, ÚZSVM spokesman Radek Ležatka stated this today. The new building and courtyard are currently used by the non-profit organization Prague Center, which has created a cultural and social center there. The old building is inaccessible and unused.

The last to express interest in Karlín Barracks was the Prague City Hall. Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) wanted to move officials from the Škodov Palace there. He intended to acquire the property in exchange for land in Letňany, where Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) plans to build a government district, Ležatka noted. A study commissioned by the city hall showed that the facilities do not meet technical requirements and do not have sufficient capacity, so they will look for another building for their officials.

ÚZSVM will now proceed according to the law on state property. "First, we will find out if any state organizational unit is interested in the area. If not, we will probably offer the area for purchase to the public, with the law on state property preferring the announcement of a transparent public auction or selection process," Ležatka clarified.

Karlín Barracks was managed by the Ministry of Justice until last year. Former Minister Robert Pelikán wanted to build a courthouse there. The situation is now different. "The Ministry of Justice has evaluated that the barracks building is not suitable for the placement of judicial organizational units due to its internal layout. Moreover, its capacity significantly exceeds the relocation needs of Prague's judicial units," Lucie Machálková from the ministry's press department told ČTK.

The area of Karlín Barracks was made accessible to the public in 2017 by the organization Prague Center, which has part of it under management until 2020. They created a gallery, a cultural club with a bar, and a daily café in the foyer of the former army swimming pool. They would like to have the entire area under management, including the old building. The author of the project Cultural and Social Center Karlín Barracks, Matěj Velka, is negotiating for an extension and expansion of the lease agreement.

Ferdinand Barracks, also known as Jan Žižka Barracks from Trocnov, were built between 1845 and 1848. They have been protected as a historic monument since 1958.