Revitalization of Wenceslas Square will begin from Můstek upwards

Cigler Marani Architects, revitalization of Wenceslas Square, 2005 competition proposal 1st prize, 2012 land-use decision (Phase I, section Na příkopě – Vodičkova)

Prague - The revitalization of Wenceslas Square will begin in the first phase between the Můstek and the tram line between Vodičková and Jindřišská streets. The costs are expected to be around 150 to 250 million crowns. This was stated by councilor Jan Wolf (Trojkoalice /KDU-ČSL) at a meeting with journalists. However, it is not yet clear when the work will begin.
    "In the lower part, the infrastructure is completely finished, which includes collectors that are not present in the upper part, so we will start from the lower part. We are now waiting for the transport office to complete the elevator from the Můstek metro station. Only then can we even begin to address the modifications to the square," said Wolf.
    The city wants to proceed according to the proposal created about 10 years ago, which won the public tender, by the architectural office Cigler-Marani. Among other things, it envisions the removal of flower beds from the square and that the area of the square should be on one level.
    To renew Wenceslas Square, the Prague leadership aims to start by repairing the benches. There are about 80 of them in the square, and the design of each should be developed either by an already renowned artist or by some students from art schools. "Of course, it won't be without rules; those will be set, but otherwise, the artists will have so-called free rein," said Wolf.
    The costs for the renewal of the lower part of the square are expected to be around 200 million crowns. However, the exact amount will emerge only from the tender. When the reconstruction will start is unclear. "We would like to, in quotes, cut the ribbon," said Wolf. The next municipal elections in Prague will be in 2018.
    The repair of Wenceslas Square has been discussed for many years. The reconstruction project was already developed in 2005 by Cigler Marani Architects. For example, the Prague leadership considered whether to reintroduce trams to the square. However, this idea is still being rejected by Prague 1.