The repairs to Bohuslav Martinů Square in Polička will start later, most likely in the fall

Polička - Repairs to Bohuslav Martinů Square in Polička in the Svitavy region will begin later than the town hall had intended. The deadline at the end of the holidays is already unrealistic, and the start is likely postponed to the autumn months. The project is still not finished. Jaroslav Martinů (ODS), the mayor, told ČTK.

"The project is being worked on intensively, and the designer has requested an extension of the completion deadline. A lot of approvals from conservationists and others are needed; it's not simple. If we start this year, it will be sometime in November. We would plan to complete it next year," said the mayor.

The square is in a protected heritage zone, where the already renovated St. James' Church is located; the family of Bohuslav Martinů lived in the tower's room, and the composer was also born there.

The proposal for the transformation of the square, which covers 3500 square meters, comes from architects Přemysl Kokeš and Zuzana Ambrožová. They proposed planting more than ten trees, building an amphitheater, picnic areas, cultural event spaces, and a fountain. A stream will flow from it down to Rieger Street. The water references one of Bohuslav Martinů's most famous works, Opening of the Springs.

"The design is very nice. Through the reconstruction of the square, we will conclude a tremendous work that has lasted 15 years. We have gradually reconstructed the fortification area, the square, and the streets. Only Bohuslav Martinů Square remains. Instead of the original asphalt, which heated up in the summer and was patched up after various excavations, we will have granite everywhere. In hot years, we notice that granite is functionally, climatically, and sensorially much better," said Martinů.

There will also be a statue of the composer in the form of a small boy running home with a violin. Technical underground structures will ensure the operation of the fountain but will also manage rainwater.

In winter and autumn, the tanks will serve as retention elements to ease the sewage system. The fountain and stream will only operate in the summer months. The entrance to St. James' Church, which is a national cultural monument, will be reconstructed to be barrier-free.

The city estimates the costs at 25 million crowns, and the mayor hopes that the situation on the construction market will improve and the project will not cost more. "If it will be 25 million crowns, we will breathe a sigh of relief. There are already signs that interest rates have slowed the demand for construction work, and companies that manufacture building materials are not seeing such high sales anymore. Maybe the market will start working, competition will arise; we shall see," said the mayor.