Ostrava is considering expropriation due to the development zone in Hrušov

Ostrava - Due to the preparation of a development zone for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in the Ostrava district of Hrušov, the city is also considering the possibility of expropriating land. Of the total area of 35 hectares, it currently owns about 82 percent of the land. However, the area needs to be completely consolidated, as it has sunk by three to four meters in the past due to mining effects, and the zone's construction will involve raising the terrain, said Mayor Petr Kajnar (CSSD) to ČTK.
    The city has been buying land since 1999, and to date, the purchases have cost over 122 million crowns. "We are prepared for expropriation, as we have been gradually acquiring Hrušov for several years and are nearing the finish line. We are offering a better price than what the (owners) would receive during expropriation," Kajnar stated. He added that the city hopes that the very threat of expropriation will motivate the landowners to reach an agreement with the municipality, which would be financially more advantageous for them.
    The zone is expected to be developed between 2013 and 2014. The city estimates the total costs for its establishment at 2.2 billion crowns, with most of the funding to be covered by the state. In the future, it could create up to 2000 direct jobs.
    Hrušov, which is part of Slezská Ostrava, used to be one of the city’s prestigious districts. The devastation of the area and its gradual depopulation began after 1989. However, the final blow came from the floods in 1997. The city chose this area for the development zone mainly due to its strategic location. The site is located near the city center and has advantageous transport connections, as it is close to the D1 motorway. Additionally, there is a lack of space for small and medium-sized companies in Ostrava.
    According to the mayor of Slezská Ostrava, Antonín Maštalíř (CSSD), the establishment of the development zone will significantly help the area. "Today, I can say that it is a forgotten area, because when the major floods hit Ostrava in 1997, it was essentially a fatal blow for Hrušov. Even then, it was a dying area," said Maštalíř. He added that the district itself would not have enough funds to revitalize the area.