Moravská Třebová will revive the factory with culture, transforming it into a creative center

Moravská Třebová – The planned cultural and creative center in the former Miltra factory in Moravská Třebová in the Svitavy region aims to become an alternative center for the city. Architect Martin Rusina from Rusina Frei Architekti told reporters today that his office designed an architectural study for the city. The city owns the site of the former dairy and wants to gradually renovate it to concentrate cultural activities there.

In Moravská Třebová, the neglected industrial heritage plays a significant role and has shaped the character of the city. The factory is within walking distance from the center and is located by the park, said Rusina. An alternative center of the city will be created, which will serve as a counterbalance to the stone square. "The new center will expand the possibilities for cultural enjoyment in the city," said the architect.

The city plans to renovate the former production hall and boiler room in phases. A multipurpose hall will be created in the hall, with a capacity of 250 to 300 people. The auditorium will be retractable, thus expanding the possibilities for the use of the space. There will also be a large foyer. "Since the hall is large, part of it will be converted into a city garden," said Rusina.

The former boiler room is to house a cinema and a dance hall. The study proposes to provide spaces for the city library, which is currently located in the castle. A family center could also be created there, for example. The city has owned the abandoned premises since 2020, having purchased it for 11 million crowns.

The first step will be the restoration of the public space, which is estimated to cost 70 million crowns; the grant the city hall is applying for could bring 45 million crowns. "We will know by the end of the week if we were successful. We will also build a parking lot there," said Deputy Mayor Václav Dokoupil (KDU-ČSL).

The construction of the center itself could begin with the second phase, which includes the multipurpose hall, at the beginning of 2027. It could finish around 2029, according to estimates. The city expects costs of 200 million crowns. It will be financed from the budget, possible grants, or loans. The following phases first plan a cinema and then a library. "All operations can function independently, and then connect through a large foyer," said Dokoupil.

The future center already has its name, proposed by creatives as MIZA, where the letter M evokes the roofs of buildings and is also the first letter of Moravská Třebová. In the Renaissance, the city was known as the Moravian Athens, and politicians want to revive its former glory. "And we want to emphasize quality to the maximum. We want to invest in development. It won't be a classic cultural center, but a modern place," said Dokoupil.

The complex of buildings is also to be as energy-efficient as possible to reduce operating costs. Solar panels will be installed on the roofs, and the new chimney construction will include a water reservoir that will manage rainwater. The original chimney has been demolished, and the new building will refer to the former dairy production, added Dokoupil.