<p>Funding is missing for the new building of the West Bohemian Gallery in Plzeň.</p>

Plzeň - The new building of the West Bohemian Gallery in the center of Plzeň is just before the issuance of the zoning decision. However, the project, which is part of the winning competition entry of Plzeň as the European Capital of Culture 2015, still lacks a grant promise, and its costs have soared from the original half a billion to 850 million CZK. This is an unacceptable amount for the Plzeň Region as the investor. Its priority is transport construction and the completion of the Klatovy hospital. This was stated by governor Milan Chovanec (ČSSD).
    "We must repair the roads without borrowing, thus mainly tapping into European resources. Furthermore, we need to start the western ring road, because without it, Plzeň has no chance to develop long-term, to complete the Klatovy hospital, and to fix the damaged roads after winter," he added.
    According to the latest information, the gallery is expected to cost 700 million CZK, including equipment, but with VAT, the amount climbs to 850 million. "I can't imagine that we would give this amount to the gallery," said the governor. The original estimate was up to 500 million CZK, which is an amount that, according to him, should not be exceeded. "It is still about the fact that at least half should come from grants, and for the remaining 200 to 250 million CZK, the region could take a long-term mortgage loan and consider how to vacate the current buildings to save on operations and gradually abandon them," he added. This will be the approach of the regional cultural department, which is behind the preparation of the project.
    The department must communicate with the Ministry of Culture together with the city. "I expect that Plzeň, within the framework of the European City of Culture 2015, will at least verbally help, that a joint delegation from the city will head to the ministry. So far, the minister's stance has been that he will provide Plzeň with about 100 million CZK, which does not solve the problem," Chovanec added. No grant promise currently exists. The governor refuses the idea of going the PPP project route, that is, gradually repaying rent to a private investor, for this non-profitable project. The region would ultimately pay even more, according to him.
    Additionally, two other problems have arisen with the project. "Archaeologists reportedly found a significant discovery there, but more fundamentally, there is extensive ecological contamination from the former gas station, the remediation of which will cost millions," said the governor. The region will now negotiate with the municipality as the landowner, which should remove it. The town hall provided the land for a symbolic price in exchange for which the region will reciprocally transfer a 1.5-hectare plot in Skvrňany for the construction of a new athletic oval.
    "The city has never signed any binding document with us stating that we would build the gallery. From the beginning, we have said that we will do the project and the zoning decision, but if we do not secure grants, we will not proceed," said the governor, although he acknowledged that culture would need a new gallery. He does not believe, however, that the gallery needs to be that large. The first step towards streamlining has already been that parking for visitors and employees is to be in one underground floor only, rather than two, as agreed with the police.