The army fined Brno ten million crowns due to the Wilson project

Brno - The Ministry of Defense has fined Brno nearly ten million crowns due to the former military area near Peace Square. The army transferred it to the city free of charge with the condition of non-commercial use. However, the district rented the land to a private company that prepared a project for the construction of a building with about 80 apartments and services. The ministry believes that the city, including the district, violated the contractual conditions, and therefore set the fine roughly equal to the value of the transferred property, said Deputy Mayor Oliver Pospíšil today.
    The construction of the Wilson building is one of the most controversial planned projects in Brno. A portion of the residents living nearby has strongly opposed the construction. They criticized that the building would bring traffic into the quiet villa district and ruin the panorama of Peace Square, which is currently dominated by the church. Residents also claim that the investor acquired the land from the district in an opaque manner. After criticism, the district withdrew its decision to lease the land to Wilson Property for 15 years. However, the lease agreements remain in effect.
    The fine from the ministry is unlikely to influence how the former military land will be used. "For the area to be truly utilized, I will now overlook whether it would be the Wilson project or, for example, a medical office, we cannot do without an addendum to the deed of gift," said Pospíšil. According to him, the limitation on commerce needs to be specified in the contract. "Ideally, the addendum to the contract should be tailored to the intention that will be realized there," he said.
    The fine will be addressed at the Brno city council meeting on Tuesday. According to Pospíšil, the document is drafted so that the fine is transferred to the district, that is, to the "author" of the problem. The city is said to provide legal assistance to the district. However, it remains the case that the district simultaneously assumes responsibility for any damages along with the authority to manage the property, said the politician.