The decision about the transformation of the Romani locality in Přerov will depend on the journey to Slovakia

Přerov - The leadership of Přerov is heading to Slovakia next week regarding the planned transformation of the Romani locality near the train station. In Bratislava, they want to learn about the background of the company that wants to undertake the changes. Representatives of the company, which is the only one that applied for the tender, intend to demolish nine apartment buildings primarily inhabited by Romani people and build new multifunctional houses in their place. The outcome of the trip and the final plan for the transformation of this part of the city should be approved by the municipal council at the beginning of February.
    "We have references about the company Immofin from the materials it provided us. Therefore, we want to make a mission to Slovakia and form our own opinion about the company," said the mayor of Přerov, Jiří Lajtoch (ČSSD), to ČTK.
    He noted that if the city is not satisfied with the outcome of the trip, there may be a second option, that the city council will cancel the tender and announce a new one. "However, something must be done about the locality; it is in poor condition and needs to be made more attractive," the mayor added.
    Several hundred Romani people live in the devastated locality on Škodova Street. The company has committed to finding alternative housing for the local residents. The city's decision has faced criticism from the local population. People already expressed concerns to ČTK that they fear worse living conditions and being closed off into ghettos.
    The council decided to sell nine buildings, along with the land, to the company Immofin, which is a subsidiary of a Slovak company, for 1.5 million korunas. The company plans to demolish the houses in the project, clear the land, and build residential multifunctional houses with commercial spaces. Out of the approximately eighty municipal rental apartments, about sixty are occupied. Many residents are non-payers.
    The plan to transform this locality was supposed to be discussed by the municipal council in October of last year, but due to criticism, the city leadership ultimately decided to postpone the decision until after the municipal elections.