<p>People are disturbed by the entrance to the garages and the planes at the change of Wenceslas Square.</p>

Prague - In the project to modify the lower section of Prague's Wenceslas Square, people are bothered by the planned entrances to underground garages. They also criticize the replacement of the current linden trees with plane trees; however, according to Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO), their maintenance is cheaper. Comments on the project were heard today at its public discussion regarding the issuance of a zoning decision, which is necessary for the commencement of construction. The project is expected to cost around 150 million crowns and should be completed approximately one year after all permits are issued.

The criticized underground garages are not part of the project at all. According to architect Jakub Cigler, they are a "necessary evil" but also the "only option," and the project only includes construction preparations for the creation of access ramps. "They are part of the following project. Today, only their placement is being approved, not the construction," he told ČTK and the Metro newspaper.

Currently, there is space for parking 70 cars in the lower section; in the underground garages, Prague 1 is to have 170 spaces available, with additional ones to be provided by a private owner. Critics argue that the proposed access to the garages from Panská Street, where there is already one entrance to the garages, would cause excessive strain on the narrow alleys and lengthen the route for cars to the main route.

According to the mayor, the design must consider the garages, and she sees it as a suitable solution for removing cars from Wenceslas Square. "In the future, when garages are necessary, we will have to reflect on that. The resolution of the Prague 1 council takes that into account. We must also respect that there are contracts with a private owner that we must fulfill," she added.

The new proposal includes the expansion of sidewalks and a total of four tree rows. Marie Jelínková from Prague 4 pointed out at the discussion that linden trees, as the Czech national tree, will disappear from the square and be replaced by plane trees, which are the national tree of Uzbekistan. "The maintenance of plane trees is much cheaper than that of linden trees," explained Krnáčová.

Representatives of Prague have been discussing the renovation of Wenceslas Square for several years. Cigler Marani Architects developed a project for the entire square in 2005. It is unclear when the renovation of the second part of the square will follow. The leadership of Prague had considered whether to bring trams back to the square, but ultimately rejected that for the lower part of the square. However, the proposed modifications still allow for that. Issues concerning the appearance and number of sales stands were also addressed, but the proposal does not resolve the specific appearance.

In the lower part of the square, the town hall had previously established a pedestrian zone, where vehicles with permits, of which the office has issued around a hundred, are allowed to enter. A new elevator to the A and B metro station Můstek has also been created there. "The second part of Wenceslas Square is a subject of discussion. We need to agree on how to manage traffic," stated Krnáčová. Discussions are ongoing regarding the route of the tram from the main train station and the future of the main road.

Wenceslas Square is 682 meters long and approximately 60 meters wide. It was originally called Horse Market and was established by royal decree from Charles IV. In the 19th century, it was first renamed Saint Wenceslas Square and later to Wenceslas Square.