On Wenceslas Square, there will be eleven stalls in the shape of a boat

Prague - From the new year, eleven glass booths in the shape of a boat from the workshop of Cigler Marani Architects will stand in Wenceslas Square in Prague. The final design was selected by a commission of the council, said Aleksandra Udženija (ODS), the councilor for property, in response to a query from ČTK. Currently, there are twenty-three stalls in the square offering refreshments, newspapers, and tobacco. According to the councilor, the range of products in the new kiosks will be expanded. However, traditional sausages will remain.
    Concern for the beloved sausages has raised a wave of public interest. A petition was also created because of this. Prague wants to maintain the tradition of selling sausages, while also allowing other types of refreshments so that locals and tourists have choices, the councilor stated.
    It is not yet clear exactly how much the booths will cost. The estimated price of one such booth is around 1.5 million crowns. Ten booths will serve the sale of refreshments, printing, and flowers, while the eleventh booth at the lower part of Wenceslas Square will be informational. Prague has reportedly terminated unprofitable rental contracts with current tenants.
    The exchange of booths is related to the overall adjustment of the square that Prague has been preparing for several years. "The booths are mobile and in case of larger interventions during revitalization, it will not be a problem to move them," Udženija said. The project also includes expanding greenery, limiting traffic, providing more space for pedestrians, and restoring the tram line. According to the councilor, the first step towards renewing the square is the closure of the lower part to motor traffic. The city hall also recently had a change of the zoning plan developed, which will allow the return of trams to Wenceslas Square.
    About five years ago, the city attempted to completely remove the booths from the boulevard leading from the National Museum to Můstek. However, the city hall's intention at that time provoked a wave of protests and a number of petition actions. In connection with this, the city management reevaluated its position and proposed that only the number of booths be reduced and their assortment limited.