The Kroměříž councilors approved the sale of the NPÚ building for four CZK

Kroměříž - The representatives of Kroměříž today approved the sale of land and a deteriorating building in the area of the former Žižka Barracks to the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) for a symbolic four crowns. The state donated the land and the building to the town in 2005, and since then, the building has been empty and falling into disrepair. The town unsuccessfully offered it for sale, later considering repairing and utilizing it. However, no project has been carried out. The NPÚ, which is a contributory organization of the Ministry of Culture, has committed to renovating the properties; after the repairs, the NPÚ’s Kroměříž offices are supposed to move there.

The Minister of Culture, Lubomír Zaorálek (ČSSD), discussed the takeover of the property with the city's leadership and preservationists at the end of last year.

There are two NPÚ offices in Kroměříž. One manages state heritage sites in Moravia and Silesia, while the other focuses on heritage care in the Zlín Region. Most employees of the Kroměříž branches of the NPÚ are located in buildings that were returned to the church in restitution.

Petr Šubík, the director of the Regional Heritage Preservation Office of the NPÚ in Kroměříž, previously stated that the costs for the renovation of the building on Hanácké Square and its equipping could be 180 to 200 million crowns. Over 70 employees will move there; in addition to offices, the preservationists plan to include storage facilities, restoration workshops, and a visitor center.

Šubík stated today at the council meeting that funds have already been allocated to start pre-project preparations. "The project could be completed in 2022, and then a contractor could potentially be selected," said Šubík. According to the mayor of the town, Jaroslav Němec (Independents), the NPÚ commits to ensuring that the building will be functional within ten years.

The three-story building was acquired by Kroměříž from the army after its departure from the city; the garrison left in 2004.