Prague 9 is looking for a solution to prevent construction on the UN Square

Prague - Prague 9 is looking for a solution to prevent construction at the UN Square in Vysočany. Representatives of the municipal district are negotiating with the landowner, the company CPI, which wants to build several buildings on the land. One option would be to exchange the land at the square for the garage land at Krocínka or to change the zoning plan. Today, the municipal assembly discussed the petition "No to the Development of UN Square," which was signed by about 3,500 people.

The municipal leadership spoke with the landowner in August when they handed over the petition against the development. He was given the task of seeking an acceptable compromise, said deputy mayor Tomáš Portlík (ODS) to the assembly. Further negotiations with CPI are scheduled for this Thursday.

The petition signatories propose an exchange of the land at UN Square for the Krocínka garages, where building could be possible. However, it depends on the investor how they assess this option. The city leadership has already presented this option to the company, which is having an analysis prepared to evaluate whether it would be worthwhile.

Given that the issue of building on UN Square has been raised since 2002, the municipal leadership is trying to resolve this issue in a way that provides a permanent solution to the problem, according to second deputy mayor Marek Doležal (TOP 09).

Doležal informed the assembly that he had negotiated with the Institute of Planning and Development of Prague (IPR) and the committee for spatial development and zoning plan about a possible change to the zoning plan. However, he considers this option to be unfeasible. "If it were successful, we would be liable according to legal opinion for the damages caused to the investor, which is currently estimated at around 400 million crowns," said Doležal to ČTK. The Constitutional Court could also annul the change due to an unreasonable interference with property rights.

A private investor plans to build three residential buildings and an office building at the square. Local residents are opposed to it, fearing an inadequate number of parking spaces and the reduction of the park. Since 1999, the plot has been designated as building land in the zoning plan. The complex of buildings is to be built by the company STRM Beta, whose shareholder is Orco Property Group. Last year, it was purchased by the CPI Property Group of billionaire Radovan Vítek. CPI is one of the largest real estate investors in the Czech Republic.