The regional office confirmed the demolition of the Baťa house in M. Lázních

Mariánské Lázně - The Regional Office confirmed the decision of the building authority regarding the demolition of the Baťa department store in Mariánské Lázně. The building was immediately closed last June based on a structural assessment. However, the mayor of Mariánské Lázně, Vojtěch Franta (Pirates), who is a professional architect, appealed against the later-ordered demolition. Today, the spokesperson of the regional office, Jana Pavlíková, informed ČTK about the confirmation of the demolition.
    The reinforced concrete building on the main street in Mariánské Lázně was originally a protected monument. However, in the autumn, the Ministry of Culture removed the building from the list of protected structures. Subsequently, the building authority, which is a governmental body, ordered the demolition.
    "With the ownership rights to the building, there is also the right to dispose of it, which includes the right to demolish the building. The exercise of rights cannot be impeded, except in cases of public interest," states the decision of the regional office. "In this case, it concerns a building located in the designated heritage zone of the town of Mariánské Lázně, and the concerned building does not have any higher level of protection at this moment," reported the regional office.
    Mayor Franta raised objections against the decision of the Mariánské Lázně building authority. Today, ČTK was unable to obtain his statement. However, Franta previously argued that it would be appropriate to have an opposing structural assessment. He was also displeased that the ministry removed the heritage protection from the building based only on one assessment. As he stated, it could lead to a dangerous precedent, where the owner of a monument allows the building to deteriorate, and when it is in a state of disrepair, successfully requests the removal of its heritage protection.
    The Baťa store building from 1932 in the city center is not the only one threatened with removal. There are similarly neglected buildings in the city center numbering around three dozen. A few weeks ago, the former hotel Rozkvět was also demolished after suffering fire damage at the beginning of the year.