The Plzeň Region will negotiate with the city about the land for a new gallery

Plzeň - The Plzeň Region will begin negotiations with Plzeň regarding a plot of land in the city center, where it would like to build a new building for the collections of the West Bohemian Gallery. Initially, the regional councilors considered two locations for establishing the gallery - in a historic building within the Škoda complex and in the center, on the edge of the park ring at U Zvonu. There used to be a residential building there, but after the floods in 2002, it was so damaged that it had to be demolished. A study commissioned by the region clearly identified the U Zvonu location as the better option, said regional councilor for culture Martin Baxa to reporters today.
    He did not want to talk yet about the price that the region would be willing to pay for the plot or whether the regional plan has a chance of success. The modern gallery building could cost up to 270 million crowns, and the region would try to obtain European grants. The councilor also did not want to comment on reports suggesting that the city might want to build garages on the plot. "I don't want to speak prematurely about it yet; we'll see what the city says," noted Baxa. He also did not want to comment on earlier remarks from some city politicians suggesting that the gallery could be located in the dilapidated cultural center called Peklo. The representatives of the region have about two months for discussions with the city.
    In the new exhibition, the gallery is expected to showcase rare and unique works that are currently in storage. The basis of the exhibition will be the presentation of the best pieces from the collection - primarily from the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century. This exhibition would not be permanent but would change approximately every two years according to global museum trends.
    The U Zvonu area was recommended by the study to the region mainly due to its location. The site would be more advantageous in terms of tourism and attendance, as well as because it would connect to existing gallery buildings in the center, allowing for continuity in educational programs, Baxa outlined.
    Plzeň initiated a public urban planning competition a few years ago for filling the vacant space after the building at U Zvonu. Several dozen competition projects were submitted, most of which proposed the construction of a new building. However, the city council ultimately made a different decision, and for now, there is a small park in the area.