Liberec will seek companies that will repair the Varšava and Linserka cinemas for tens of millions

Liberec - Liberec will soon start looking for construction companies to repair two historic buildings in the city. The city hall estimates the costs for the modernization of the Varšava cinema at 53.2 million crowns and the reconstruction of the former Linser foundry into a cultural and creative center called Linserka at 38 million crowns. The city council approved the announcement of both construction contracts on Tuesday. Today, the deputy mayor for strategic development and grants, Šárka Prachařová (ANO), informed the journalists about this. The city hall has obtained a European grant for both buildings, 31 million for Linserka and 40 million for the monument-protected cinema.

Varšava is the oldest stone cinema in the hundred-thousand-populated Liberec. Its history in the upper center of the city dates back to 1908. The originally one-story cinema was replaced in 1922 by a magnificent building in the then modern art-deco style. Subsequently, the building on Frýdlantská Street underwent several reconstructions and has had its current appearance since 1965. The cinema faced extinction 16 years ago when the city hall closed it due to a lack of funds for reconstruction and competition from multiplex cinemas. However, in 2014, a group of enthusiasts revived its operation, and thanks to them, films are still screened there today.

"Just because the cinema is alive and has shown us that it can attract its customers, we decided, especially since the building is ours, to modernize the cinema in this way," said Prachařová. The city would like to start the cinema reconstruction in the summer, which will last for a maximum of one year. The building needs exterior repairs, the first floor needs to be deepened, a new ceiling needs to be built above it, the walls of the hall need to be stabilized, and the water, sewage, heating, electricity, and air conditioning systems need to be replaced, along with repairing the waterproofing and drainage system. The reconstruction also includes the construction of a new stage and screen frame.

A comprehensive reconstruction is also planned for the former foundry on Resslova Street, which is the last remnant of the factory complex established in 1858 by Christian Linser. Today, it is a dilapidated building used only occasionally. "With the reconstruction project, we will give this building the opportunity for further functioning, and we believe that it will find its place in the area of creativity and culture development in Liberec," said Prachařová.

The city house is waiting for a complete reconstruction; the city aims to restore its original atmosphere of an industrial building of a former factory. "I believe that after completion, a completely unique creative space will emerge not only for young creators, artists, or architects but also a quality social and inspiring center for the general public. At the same time, I hope that this is the first project that will become part of the significant transformation of the entire area around Papírové náměstí," said Jiří Janďourek (Starostové pro Liberecký kraj), the deputy for architecture, public space, and transport construction. This location has long been among the most neglected areas in the lower center of Liberec, and the city hall's intention is to transform it in the future into a creative and residential district. The city hall plans to open Linserka after its modernization next autumn.