Brno selected three best studies for the option of a relocated train station

Brno - The Brno city councilors, based on the proposal of the advisory committee, selected the three best out of seven urban-architectural studies that addressed the development of the so-called southern center with a train station relocated, referred to as the River variant. The studies are intended to serve for spatial planning in case the new station were to move one kilometer south. According to Mayor Petr Vokřál (ANO), the studies provided numerous impulses for how the city could develop, he said today at a press conference.

The advisory committee selected the study by the Koleček - Jura Association, architects from Lausanne-Brno, as the best and most comprehensive. "It is a rational, detailed, and feasible proposal. It allows for phased development of the new district. It also connects with the historical city," said Dušan Novotník, head of the department of urban planning. It combines the concept of traditional city districts with the principles of the garden city.

In second place, the committee recommended the study by the creators called Platforma Architekti. This proposal suggests a different transport solution and creates an urban waterfront with recreational functions by the river. Third is the group EA architekti.

The variant of the relocated station offers architects the opportunity to free up large areas currently occupied by the relatively complicated track layout of the Brno railway hub, including the historic viaduct over the Svratka River. "I do not want to favor any variant. The chosen solution will affect not only the central part of the city but also all of Brno and the South Moravian region. Both variants have advantages and problems," noted Vokřál. Brno now has studies for both the relocated station and the station in the city center at Nádražní Street.

According to the chair of the advisory committee, Ivan Wahla, all seven proposals were at a professional level and it was difficult to compare them. "All had interesting ideas and suggestions. It is good that the city procured studies for both variants. This allows us to envision the city, and the studies will help develop the discussion. It is possible to eliminate prejudices," Wahla stated.

However, the alliance Referendum 2016 criticizes the studies for the relocated station, advocating for a station in the center and pushing for a plebiscite on the location. The referendum will take place in October alongside the regional elections. They believe the city violated public procurement laws. For the seven studies of the relocated station, they paid 5.9 million, but each was directly commissioned as a sub-threshold contract.

"We did not violate the law. We simply decided to update studies that were already quite old to see how the area could be modernly addressed. I am disappointed by the approach of some activists, as it has become clear that they wanted nothing to be created that could be compared with the variant in the center," said Vokřál, who has an opinion on moving the station but does not want to disclose it.

People can now view the architectural proposals for both the central station and the relocated station at the House of Art. The administration of railway transport is also preparing a feasibility study that compares both variants. However, it will be fully completed only after the referendum.