Liberec will pay 203.5 million CZK for the reconstruction of the Liebieg Palace

Liberec – Liberec will pay 203.5 million crowns including tax for the reconstruction of the Liebieg Palace into a community center. The reconstruction is expected to start this August and finish in March 2022. The information was provided to journalists today by Deputy Mayor Radka Loučková Kotasová (ANO).

The Liebieg Palace has been empty since 2014 when the Regional Gallery moved out. The city hall wants the neo-Renaissance building to become a meeting place for people of different ages and various social groups after complete reconstruction. For the city hall, this is the largest construction contract in recent years, but it received only one bid in the tender. According to the deputy mayor, they inquired with other companies about why they did not apply. "The reason is also the post-COVID period, when they do not have workers that they used from abroad," she stated.

The city received the only offer from the consortium of companies CL-Evans and Metrostav. Their price was about 16.5 million crowns higher than the city hall expected. Nevertheless, it accepted it, as it fell within the established limit. The maximum possible price for the contract was set at 205.6 million crowns including tax. "The bid met all the required criteria," stated Loučková Kotasová. The consortium must complete the reconstruction of the palace 600 days from the start. Most of the costs will be covered by the city from European subsidies; the city hall's share will be, if no complications arise, 38.7 million crowns.

The spacious house was built nearly 140 years ago by businessman Johann Liebieg Jr. The palace is expected to regain its original appearance on the outside, and inside a new large hall, an art studio with a workshop, exhibition spaces, computer and multipurpose rooms, two gymnasiums, and a gardening club with a ceramic kiln and greenhouse will be created. There will also be a café and a children's corner, and the courtyard and garden will be renovated. "The park is also part of the reconstruction. The park has beautiful trees that are almost 250 years old," said Mayor Jaroslav Zámečník. According to him, these are some of the oldest trees in the city's territory.