<Mělník> prepares a major renovation of public spaces in the center

Melník - The Melník City Hall is preparing a major reconstruction of public spaces in the historic city center. The squares of Míru and Karl IV. and Svatováclavská Street are expected to undergo significant changes first. Very rough estimates for these investments are around 100 million crowns. The plan depends on when the city resolves the problems with the sewage system in the area. This was stated today by Tomáš Martinec, the euro-manager of the Melník City Hall.
    The City Hall has been preparing the construction of sewage and the modernization of the wastewater treatment plant for a long time, with estimated costs around 600 million crowns, for which it is requesting funding from the European Union. However, the decision of the European Commission is still being delayed, according to Mayor Miroslav Neumann, which complicates the preparations for the revitalization of the center, which can only follow after the sewage is completed.
    In any case, the City Hall and the expert team are concurrently preparing the transformation of the center and already have architectural designs that they will exhibit at the City Hall in July. According to Martinec, these are not final studies, but the City Hall is awaiting feedback or objections from the public so they can incorporate them into their plans in August. In the spring of next year, the City Hall wants to prepare a grant application for these plans from EU funds. According to Martinec, it is possible, if necessary, to divide this project into individual phases, and there are more options available for financing the entire project. Ideally, the reconstruction of the center could start at the end of 2007 and last for the following two years.
    Experts suggest reopening the well at Míru Square and redesigning the square's surface in a way that emphasizes the shape of the well. They also plan to plant additional trees and reduce the number of parking spaces by about a third. The reduction in capacity also applies to the parking lot at Karl IV. Square, which is expected to undergo an even more significant transformation, including colorful pavements and a new recreational area with a fountain. Svatováclavská Street, which connects Míru Square with the sought-after area around the castle and the St. Peter and Paul Cathedral at the viewpoint of the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers, is set to replace the current asphalt surface with natural paving and take on the form of a pedestrian zone. The architects' proposals comprehensively address the new design of public lighting, greenery, benches, bike racks, and an information system.
    The City Hall intends to partially compensate for the loss of parking spaces in the already car-packed center by creating new catchment parking lots at a greater distance from the historic core.