Pardubice expect a traffic collapse due to the new shopping center

Pardubice - People from Pardubice and its surroundings received a new shopping center today right in the center of the regional city. The grand opening of the Palace Pardubice was accompanied by a fashion show and a fireworks display. Critics are not too enthusiastic about the new shopping complex and expect traffic complications. The city center is already congested with traffic jams during peak hours.
    "I am convinced that transportation will be on the verge of collapse," said Pardubice architect Milan Košař to ČTK.
    Currently, one-third of the parking spaces are missing in the center. The palace's underground parking can accommodate 542 cars, which, according to Košař, would be the necessary capacity, but not with the shopping center. Moreover, if the investor builds a hotel and residential buildings on Masaryk Square, transportation will be completely paralyzed, added Košař.
    Investor AFI Europe has already announced that around 25,000 people will visit the center daily. Deputy Mayor Alexandr Krejčíř believes that not everyone will drive and instead will use public transportation. Additionally, people will initially come out of curiosity, and the influx of shoppers will decrease after some time.
    "Of course, generally this will mean a burden for the center, however, I hope that the communications in the center will be able to absorb it," said Krejčíř.
    The appearance of the new shopping complex is also controversial. Some time ago, the city leadership viewed the nearly completed building, and Mayor Jaroslav Deml, a former builder, was pleased. "Personally, I liked it as a whole because the space is pleasant. Since it is designed with three floors, it is orientation-wise clear," said Deml.
    Architect Košař has a different opinion. The building filled the last free space, and the city center is unfairly referred to as a square, he said. "It has become a street built up to the very construction line. Basically, it doesn’t breathe there," he pointed out.