Pardubice wants a regulatory plan for Gočár's mills

The politician pointed out that the city cannot directly dictate the specific use to the new owner, but they must respect the zoning plan, which only allows light manufacturing, housing, or shops.

The regulatory plan can specify that a new building cannot be constructed directly in front of the monument-protected structure, so that it remains visible, and it can also regulate the height of new buildings, "so that skyscrapers do not arise there," said Dvořáčková.

Opposition councilor Petr Klimpl (ODS) stated that a regulatory plan for the significant area in the city center should have been created a long time ago. For now, there are regulations that are not very binding.

According to Dvořáčková, the regulatory plan can be created in three to four months if all parties agree on its form. The city wants to meet with the new buyer to find out what plans they have. The council still needs to approve the commencement of the regulatory plan this week.

Mayor Martin Charvát (ANO) noted that the Automatic Mills are still on the city's list of European projects and can receive European grants. However, Deputy Mayor Dvořáčková questioned this possibility.

"A national cultural monument can receive five million euros (135 million crowns), which is very little. At the same time, the investor cannot add commercial elements and cannot invest their own money. This would effectively freeze the mills," said Dvořáčková.

The company GoodMills ceased production at the mills about two and a half years ago. It also negotiated with the city, which did not purchase them. A concept for the use of the complex was created under the previous city administration, which could have seen the establishment of an extensive cultural and educational center.

The Austrian company ultimately sold the complex using a sealed bid method. The recommended price was 25 million crowns. Last week, a winner was chosen. The company currently does not want to disclose details about the transaction. From the signing of the purchase contract, the future owner has 60 days to pay the price.

Gočár designed the mills for the brothers Egon and Karl Winternitz. They were built between 1909 and 1911. In the 1920s, a new silo was added, connected to the older section by a bridge. Some parts of the buildings are adorned with an attic that resembles a castle battlement. In the 1960s, a four-storey extension extended the left waterfront wing.