The town of Sobotka in the Jičín region is preparing a reconstruction of the main square

photo: Petr Nejedlý

Sobotka - The town hall in Sobotka in the Jičín region is preparing a major reconstruction of Míru Square. The aim is to arrange the most significant public space in the two-thousand-strong town so that it better serves its function. The mayor, Lubor Jenček (for TOP 09), told ČTK today. It is expected, for example, to adjust parking or change the route of the transit road of the second class 281, which crosses the square. Construction work could begin no sooner than in 2024. The estimated cost of revitalizing the square is in the range of tens of millions of crowns.

According to the mayor, the city has completed an architectural study, which will still be further modified. At the same time, he also pointed out that the traffic solutions in the surrounding streets Jičínská, Turnovská, and Předměstská must change as well. "This is not a final study; it will still evolve. This year, we would like to have a zoning decision, possibly a combined zoning and building decision. I do not see the start of work before 2024, but rather in 2025," Jenček said.

Construction work will be divided into at least two phases. The first, which will primarily address parking, could cost 20 to 30 million crowns. According to the mayor, resolving the inadequate parking system in the square is crucial for the reconstruction of the square itself. By reducing parking capacity, the space in the square will partially be freed up.

"As for parking in the square, it is currently one big chaos, and that is what we would like to change first. During the tourist season, the square is often full of parked cars, sometimes there are as many as 90. The new appearance of the square will emphasize its functionality; parking will only be possible temporarily, with a capacity of up to 40 vehicles. Parking will be possible further from the center of the square," said Jenček.

According to him, the city's intention is also to relocate the transit road from a diagonal arrangement to the western and northern side of the square. "Currently, there is not much free gathering space in the square. The second-class road should no longer cut through the square in the new concept," the mayor said.

The project also includes new public lighting, greenery, furniture, and changes to the surfaces of the square. "Considering that the square is part of the urban conservation area, we are consulting the project with heritage conservationists. So far, we do not agree with them on what materials the surfaces of the square will be made of," Jenček said.

The town hall will seek a subsidy, or it may take a loan with a longer repayment period for the reconstruction. "

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