New Jičín is addressing how to handle the unused extension of Hotel Prague

Nový Jičín - The New Jičín Town Hall is dealing with how to manage the unused annex of the Hotel Praha in the city center. Four years ago, under the previous city leadership, its reconstruction into a cultural facility began, but it has now been found that the structure's statics are compromised and the building is unsuitable for the purposes of a cultural house. Václav Dobrozemský (ODS), the deputy mayor of Nový Jičín, told ČTK today. The issue was highlighted by Czech Television.

The new city architect recommended conducting a static examination of the building last year. "Static assessment revealed that the ceiling panels are slightly overloaded, but that could be resolved. However, new passages have been created in the columns, and the relief of the floors there would not be sufficient, so new measures would need to be taken. Some stabilizing walls have also been demolished," Dobrozemský described the situation.

It is still unclear when and who demolished the walls. "The statics are somehow compromised. But for other reasons as well, such as noise issues, the capacity of the hall and the entire building, the height of the ceilings of individual floors, the columns present in the main hall, the building does not appear to be entirely suitable for the purpose of a cultural house," said the deputy mayor.

According to him, the city wants to find out as soon as possible how the deficiencies in the building's statics arose. During the next year, the town hall will then decide whether any measures will be taken in the annex of the Hotel Praha. Dobrozemský stated that the city needs a cultural facility with a larger hall, so it will seek another building or location for this purpose, while also addressing how to handle the annex of Hotel Praha.

"There is an option to look for another purpose that would fit the building, another option is to demolish the building, clear the space, and decide what to do with the land in the future, or the option of selling or exchanging it for another property that could be interesting for the city, perhaps in connection with a cultural house," said the deputy mayor.

The complex of buildings today known as Hotel Praha was built in the late 19th century in the Art Nouveau style and is a cultural monument. The city acquired it in 2013 and gradually repaired it. Previously, it was a regional facility, and after it ceased to be used by the hotel school, it was closed.

The annex of the hotel was constructed in the 1970s. Nový Jičín began its conversion in 2018, with the first phase costing over 20 million crowns. However, the new town hall leadership subsequently decided to revise the entire investment with the aim of reducing its total costs, which were expected to exceed 100 million crowns.