Jablonec is preparing the renewal of the Šumava estate

photo: fotozasms

Jablonec nad Nisou - Jablonec nad Nisou is preparing the renovation of the second oldest housing estate, Šumava. The project, worth over 80 million crowns, is divided into eight phases, with the first expected to begin in 2019. The city council aims to utilize grants from the ministry of regional development, where it can annually receive around four million crowns. Next week, the Jablonec city council will discuss the project, stated the spokesperson of the magistrate, Markéta Hozová.

The area to be renovated is bordered by the streets Podzimní, Pasecká, Vysoká, Jeronýmova, Březová, Skelná, Švédská, and Na Šumavě. The housing estate consists of 37 panel houses and eight brick apartment buildings, totaling nearly 1600 apartments. The oldest buildings were constructed after World War II, while the newest were completed in 1980. The biggest issue in the locality is the lack of parking spaces, but the residents of the estate also criticize the lack of quality playgrounds and sports facilities.

"The goal is to transform the Šumava housing estate into a multifunctional complex and thereby improve the living environment," added Deputy Mayor Lukáš Pleticha (ČSSD). According to him, the renovation should include transportation and technical infrastructure, public spaces, and bike paths, as well as noise barriers, parking lots, and parking spaces. "As part of the project, we also want to remove the overhead high-voltage lines and replace them with cables, as well as enhance public lighting," said Pleticha. The plan also includes the renovation of public greenery and the criticized playgrounds and sports facilities.

The planned renovation of the Šumava housing estate is not the first similar project in Jablonec. In the autumn of 2015, the revitalization of the oldest residential complex, Žižkův Vrch, was completed. The renovation lasted seven years and cost 195 million crowns, of which about 55 percent was covered by the European Union. The area of more than 17 hectares was revitalized, and over 1200 apartments were renovated. A total of 33 projects were carried out in Žižkov Vrch, 12 of which were city projects, while 21 were managed by other entities, mainly homeowners. Buildings and roads were repaired, container parking spaces were added, as well as new playgrounds.