The underground parking lot in the center of H. Králové is possible, tests have shown

Hradec Králové – According to geological analyses, it is possible to build an underground parking garage under the historic Great Square in the center of Hradec Králové. This was revealed by the probes that the city hall commissioned at the end of last year at three locations in the square, said city hall spokesperson Petr Vinklář today. Eastern Bohemian archaeologists opposed the construction of underground garages last year. They stated that the construction would threaten the values for which the area is protected as a monument reservation.

The survey was intended to determine the structure of the underground layers beneath the square. Geologists conducted probes near the Marian plague column, at the transformer station in front of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and on Komenského Street beneath the square, from which access to the parking garage could be created.

"The survey has revealed for the first time in history the geological composition and sequence of foundation soil layers down to a depth of 25 meters below the surface of the square," stated Mayor Alexandr Hrabálek (ODS). Previous surveys, according to him, did not exceed a depth of ten meters below ground level. The drilling confirmed the cultural layer with possible archaeological finds, as was expected. A greater thickness of cultural layers was discovered near the underground transformer station.

According to Deputy Mayor for Investment Jiří Bláha (ODS), the survey confirmed the suitability of the proposed solution for the parking garage construction. Designers from ARN Studio are working on a verification study for the possible construction and have also proposed a technological solution for the construction works. "In the first phase, supporting perimeter walls would be built from the surface of the Great Square, and a load-bearing system would be established, that is, columns and a top slab. At the same time, a connection tunnel would be excavated from Komenského Street," said architect Jiří Krejčík.

The construction should not increase traffic on the Great Square, as the excavated material is expected to be transported via the tunnel to Komenského Street, where the construction material would also be brought in. The construction site facilities would also be located on Komenského Street.

Hrabálek pointed out that a final decision on building the underground parking garage has not yet been made. "Many more steps and approval processes will be necessary for that. The most important say will rest with the city council," stated the mayor.

The overall renovation of the square, estimated to cost a quarter of a billion crowns, has been planned by the city hall since 2007. However, due to objections from a portion of the residents, who are primarily concerned about the intended reduction of parking spaces in the square, construction has not yet commenced. The potential construction of underground garages could unblock the entire matter.