České Budějovice are looking for ways to utilize locations in the city center

České Budějovice - České Budějovice are looking for ways to utilize locations in the city center that are, for example, abandoned. This includes the Žižka Barracks. The abandoned complex next to the railway and bus station has long been deteriorating. City officials told reporters today after the Housing 24 workshop.

"České Budějovice have several places in their center that have long been neglected. These are semi-industrial areas and sometimes even squats, around which we have been walking for years and nothing is being done about them. Unfortunately, past political representations often presented, in my opinion, unrealistic economic ideas on what to do with them, which also concerned the Žižka Barracks," said České Budějovice city councilor and South Bohemian governor Martin Kuba (ODS).

The previous coalition considered utilizing the Žižka Barracks and relocating part of the city hall there. However, according to Kuba, the site has much greater potential. "One vision is to negotiate with the private sector, which would build offices and also apartments there, part of which the city would keep. In every European metropolis, such a location would be utilized similarly," Kuba believes.

České Budějovice are already working on utilizing other barracks. They will build a residential complex in the Čtyři Dvory district on a site that previously belonged to the army. More than 300 apartments will be created. The estimated costs are around 1.6 billion crowns. This is a pilot project and also the largest affordable housing project presented by the government.

The Žižka Barracks could thus become another site that previously served the army and which the city now wants to use for its residents. "This project has the great advantage that it is the city’s property. But then we will also find many other locations in the center of České Budějovice where, for example, there are large companies that may no longer find the spaces and outdated complexes suitable for them. Then the question is negotiations, whether they would be willing to agree with the city or the region on a land exchange. I believe that interesting spaces for companies could be, for example, near the airport, where I also see great potential," Kuba said. Large companies like Viscofan and Koh-i-noor currently operate in the city center.

Part of the Žižka Barracks belongs to the Ministry of Justice, which has started construction of a judicial palace on the site this year.