Brno is considering exchanging houses in the center in order to start the construction of a stadium

Brno - Brno is considering the exchange of nine of its buildings in the historic center of the city for property owned by entrepreneur Libor Procházka, which is located on city land in the Za Lužánkami area and is blocking the construction of a football stadium. These include garages and tennis courts, for example. Deputy Mayor Richard Mrázek (ANO) told reporters today that the exchange is just one option, as well as paying for the property or a combination of both. Mrázek did not specify the exact amount that Procházka is demanding for the garages, hall, and other properties, but according to him, it could be hundreds of millions of crowns. The tenants of the apartments in the affected city buildings are concerned about the situation.

A new stadium is to be built on the site of the old one for two billion crowns, with a capacity of 30,000 spectators. However, the city still does not have all the property relations resolved, and the latest dispute has been dragging on for several years with entrepreneur Procházka. He is demanding nine buildings in the city center on Masarykova, Solniční, Česká, Zámečnická, Průchodní, Květinářská streets and at Kapucínské náměstí. The sale of these properties to Procházka's companies has already been approved by the council of the Brno-střed city district, which is responsible for them. The city district council is also expected to decide on this issue. This has outraged the residents of the affected buildings. "Not only the tenants of the apartments in the buildings are concerned, but also other citizens of Brno, who are ready to prevent the decimation of their city," said one resident, Petra Černínová, in the statement. It is not clear what would happen to the people, whether they could stay in the buildings or whether their rent would increase.

However, Mrázek claims that there has been a mistake and that no one wants to sell the buildings. "There has been an unfortunate formulation. It is not about a sale, but whether the city district would agree to the transfer of these buildings. We currently have no agreement with Mr. Procházka regarding whether we will give him money or perhaps exchange one of the buildings. It could involve one, two, but also none," Mrázek stated. According to him, evaluations are now being created for both the buildings and the value of Procházka's property. If the exchange occurs, the city, according to Mrázek, would consider whether to offer people another housing option or to exchange the buildings along with their rental agreements. However, city representatives have not yet spoken to the residents. Evaluations that will provide more information should be completed in a few weeks. If the city does not reach an agreement with Procházka, the matter could end up in court. In the past, it has already lost a dispute with Procházka.

The stadium for two billion crowns is to be built on the site of the former stadium, where Zbrojovka won the league title in the late 70s. However, it has been empty since 2001, and Zbrojovka's footballers play in Královo Pole, where attendance is low. Two years ago, the deteriorating Za Lužánkami stadium hosted a farewell match for Brno footballer Petr Švancara after makeshift renovations. The new stadium is to have one underground and eight above-ground floors, and it will be about 30 meters high.