The country is still preparing a new gallery building in Plzeň for 600 million

Plzeň - The Plzeň Region is permanently preparing a project for the construction of a new building for the regional West Bohemian Gallery (ZČG) in Plzeň for 500 to 600 million crowns. The construction, which was originally to be part of the European Capital of Culture 2015 project, will only arise if it secures funding from the EU. The project already has a zoning decision; a building permit should be obtained within a year, and an archaeological survey on the city land is complete. This was stated by Jiří Struček, Deputy Governor for Culture (ČSSD).
    "The archaeological survey has been completed, and there should be no further activity there. The ecological burden from the former gas station should also be resolved," he said. The region recently signed a memorandum with Plzeň declaring its intention to build the gallery. "However, we will not pay for it from our own funds; we will seek resources from the new EU planning period for the years 2014 to 2020," Struček stated. According to him, there are grant titles for regional cultural buildings in that period. The two-year construction is expected to be completed by 2020 at the latest.
    The Plzeň Region has already invested approximately 25 million crowns in preparing the gallery, mainly for the architectural competition, archaeological survey, and documentation for the zoning decision, which acquired legal force in April. "The building permit is in progress. It should be obtained within a year so that we can immediately apply for EU funds," Struček noted. The permit will be linked to a new tram turnaround being built by the city by spring 2015 for 120 million crowns.
    The region has the land for the gallery U Zvonu on lease from the city. The ZČG has a lease agreement until the end of 2014, which will automatically extend under certain conditions. The rent amounts to 15 crowns/m²/year, which totals approximately 30,000 crowns annually. "Additionally, there is an agreement between the region and the city, also until the end of 2014, for the future purchase of the land. Thus, the Plzeň Region will buy the land for one crown after the gallery is completed," said Michal Bouřa, head of the regional department of investments and property.
    "We are also doing it in reverse. For example, when Plzeň built the athletic stadium, it also received land from the region for one crown, even though we could have sold it for 50 million crowns," Struček noted. According to him, the region plans to extend the lease agreement. Since it is already so advanced, it would be unnecessary to change the fundamental conditions that are set, he mentioned.
    The current ZČG has been striving for a new building for about 50 years, according to Struček. "We would all like it to be as soon as possible. Thanks to our rich depositories, we know that we would have much to display there. We would finally like to show the citizens these works, which we are currently unable to exhibit," he said.