The Moravian-Silesian Region will sign a contract for the construction of the Black Cube in March

Ostrava - In the Moravian-Silesian Region, the construction of the Black Cube - Center for Digitization, Science, and Innovation will begin soon. The region will sign a contract with the contractor in March. The spokesperson for the region, Nikola Birklenová, informed journalists today. The Office for the Protection of Competition has now issued a final decision stating that the selection procedure for the main contractor of the construction was conducted correctly. The region was not allowed to sign a contract for the most expensive regional project, costing approximately 2.6 billion crowns, until the administrative procedure was over, so construction could not start.

"Nothing prevents the Moravian-Silesian Region from immediately starting the construction of the long-awaited Black Cube, one of the key strategic projects supported by the Operational Program for Just Transformation," the spokesperson stated. The Black Cube, which is also expected to house the Moravian-Silesian Scientific Library, is set to open in 2027.

Talk of a new facility for the scientific library in Ostrava has been going on for several years. The scientific library has been located in inadequate premises at the New Town Hall on Prokeš Square since its establishment in 1951. The original project for the Black Cube was never realized due to high costs; the region later decided to abandon it and there was also discussion about the possible location of the new building in the Lower Vítkovice Area. However, in 2019, the region's leadership decided to update the design documentation for the new building to meet the current requirements of the library and modern trends.

The total cost of the project is estimated at 2.6 billion crowns, with 1.65 billion crowns coming from the European Union, while the construction will also receive financial support from the region or the city. The design of the building is created by the architectural studio KUBA & PILAŘ architects. The Black Cube is intended to be one of the architectural landmarks of the city.

"For our region and its economy to develop successfully, we need to attract large investors who will choose us as the location for their projects. The Center for Digitization, Science, and Innovation will be our symbolic business card and proof that we are a modern and dynamic region that embraces the most advanced technologies, emphasizes education, and is not afraid of great challenges," said Governor Josef Bělica (ANO).

The Black Cube is to be a modern library as well as a center for digitization and education. The building will include study rooms, an experimental cinema, laboratories, and digitization workplaces equipped with the latest technologies. The building will have two underground and nine above-ground floors. It will also include 164 parking spaces.