Liberec wants to change architects' opinion that the competition is unfair

photo: ŠJů, Wikimedia Commons

Liberec - The Czech Chamber of Architects (ČKA) has classified the competition for the design of the transport terminal in Liberec as irregular. The city wants to change that. Otherwise, there is a risk that no one will apply for the competition. The city leadership does not believe that the contract is irregular, yet it will accommodate most of the ČKA's objections. Negotiations are expected to conclude by Monday next week, said Jan Korytář, the city's economic deputy mayor, to ČTK today.

The ČKA criticizes Liberec for not having disclosed the evaluation committee in advance, the overly short deadline for the contract, and the inadequate amount of remuneration for the best proposals. The chamber has requested the city to rectify the situation. If the contract remains on the list of irregular competitions, the chamber would call on architects not to participate.

According to Korytář, the city could not disclose the composition of the evaluation committee in advance. "We did not have all the members agreed upon, so we could not do that. However, we have already informed the architects of the composition of the committee," Korytář stated. He mentioned that Liberec would likely extend the duration of the contract from four to the requested six weeks. "This will complicate the preparation of the project in the city, but we will manage somehow," the deputy mayor said.

However, the amount of remuneration will still likely not correspond to the competition rules of the ČKA. For the top three awarded, it should represent one percent of the estimated contract value, which is 1.5 million crowns in the case of the terminal. Considering how detailed a proposal Liberec is requesting, Korytář does not consider that amount adequate. The remuneration for architects in the competition should increase from the approved 150,000 crowns to three times that, i.e., 450,000 crowns. "I will present such a proposal to the city council next week," added the deputy. He will negotiate with the chamber whether this increase is sufficient.

The reconstruction of the bus station in Liberec has been discussed for several years. The platform area was modernized in the mid-1990s, but there was no money left for the construction of dignified facilities. Since then, travelers have been using a temporary structure made of construction modules. The new check-in terminal with a parking garage for 220 to 300 cars should provide dignified facilities and adequate infrastructure for travelers and carriers. The city aims to have it built by 2019. It should be located on city land, on a parking lot for 50 cars above the bus station. The construction of the terminal is estimated to require 150 million crowns, and the city will apply for European funding for it.