The former České Budějovice barracks will be transformed into a vibrant urban center

ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE - The former barracks in České Budějovice in the Čtyři Dvory area will be transformed into a vibrant center offering housing, shops, and recreational opportunities. The deteriorating site near the Vltava and Máj housing estates, home to over 40,000 residents, will be converted into a multifunctional complex worth nearly three billion crowns, featuring a square, government offices, schools, and green spaces.
This decision was made today by the České Budějovice councilors, who after a three-hour discussion approved the project of the Association of Companies for the Čtyři Dvory area from České Budějovice, consisting of PMD and MANE Holding companies. The association will lease the area of nearly 18 hectares from the city with the aim of creating a space comparable to the center of a standard district town over the next 20 years.
"This is a great opportunity for the beginning of the reconstruction of the entire left bank of the Vltava River, where half of Budějovice's residents live. They do not live in the city, but essentially in a temporary shelter that never had its center. That has always been on the other side of the river," said architect Martin Krupauer today to reporters, who participated in the development of the urban vision and is a co-owner of PMD.
He specified that approximately 85 percent of the area will be designated for housing, thereby accommodating 3,000 to 4,000 new residents. The work is divided into four five-year phases, with about five percent being built in the first phase, followed by 30 percent in subsequent phases. A natural reserve is located in close proximity to the site, and a water park, which the city is considering building, could also provide recreational opportunities.
The city will not invest any money from its budget into the project but will assist in obtaining grants. "The city retains control over what develops in the area until the last moment. Only when a specific building is approved for occupancy will the land on which it stands be sold," said Deputy Mayor Juraj Thoma.
He clarified that in the form of advances on the purchase prices of the land, the city will receive 55 million crowns, which it will use as its share for obtaining grants for the construction of basic technical infrastructure. Additionally, Budějovice will acquire infrastructure valued at approximately 250 million crowns.
Six applicants submitted bids for the public competition for the revitalization of the former barracks, but only two met the established conditions. The second project that advanced, however, did not succeed with the councillors; it was submitted by Jaroslav and Lenka Třešňák from Teplice, who had previously bought a natural disaster compensation scheme in Volyně.
The area of the former barracks in Čtyři Dvory, which the army transferred to the city free of charge in 2001, covers approximately 40 hectares. The zoning plan includes provisions for commercial, service, residential, or sports facilities. However, the city was unable to finance the revitalization of the area; just the demolition of current buildings and the restoration of basic infrastructure will cost around 200 million crowns.