The former barracks near the lucrative Peace Square in Brno continue to deteriorate

Brno - In the Brno Masaryk district, which is considered one of the best addresses in the city, the former military complex continues to deteriorate. Years ago, a private investor wanted to convert the barracks near Míru Square into a building with 80 apartments and shops. However, the project, which drew local discontent, was never realized, and the matter remains trapped in legal complications to this day. What is certain today is also who actually owns the complex, said Brno-střed mayor Libor Šťástka (ODS) today to ČTK. According to him, the municipal district and the magistrate are working on solving the puzzle, and meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Defense are being planned. However, the timeline for resolving the matter is still unknown.
    The former military complex was transferred to Brno free of charge by the army years ago, with the condition of non-commercial use. However, in 2006, the municipal district signed a contract with a developer that included the construction of a residential and shopping center. The army, arguing that it was a commercial project, imposed a fine on the city. Brno paid ten million crowns. This was followed by criminal prosecution against the former mayor of Brno-střed, Dagmar Hrubá (ODS); according to the indictment, she was accused of abusing her powers as a public official. The courts acquitted Hrubá twice. However, the matter is now being reviewed by the Supreme Court at the initiative of the Supreme State Prosecutor's Office.
        It is precisely the court that questioned, according to Šťástka, whether the complex is owned by the city. Therefore, according to the mayor, the matter must be resolved first. Only then, he says, can discussions about how to utilize the complex follow. The municipal district has been assessing public opinion on this issue for a year; until today, people were to respond in an online survey. A total of 1,520 people expressed their opinions, with the most votes (35 percent) going to the idea of leasing the complex to the non-profit sector for further care. The second largest group of respondents preferred a public services center with small apartments (33 percent), and the third largest group favored a leisure center (17 percent).
        "We are pleased that our vision garnered a total of 843 votes, which is a majority of the voters," stated Michal Závodský from the civic association Masarykova čtvrť in a press release today. However, according to the mayor, the survey will continue because, at the moment, the response cannot be used to find a solution.
    The blocked situation was also recently pointed out by the developer. The actions of the authorities allegedly caused him harm, which he might seek to claim, he stated in letters addressed to the magistrate and the Brno-střed city hall. According to Šťástka, the city lawyers are asking the entrepreneur in their response what he believes the authorities failed to comply with and what damage he incurred as a result. "My personal opinion is that the (company representatives) have no grounds for complaint," the mayor stated.
        The army complex is located in the center of the Masaryk district, which consists of villa development and low brick apartment buildings. The area's reputation as a good address is enhanced by its proximity to the center and green spaces - Kraví hory and Wilson's forest.