Prague will adjust the surroundings of the intersection U Bulhara under the highway and the center of Hope

Prague – The Prague City Hall wants to start renovations around the U Bulhara intersection this year, where the Naděje day center for homeless people is located under the expressway. The city has commissioned a study on this matter, which was discussed and approved by city councilors today. In addition to improving the Naděje center itself, there are plans to create a cultural space with a gallery on the current parking lot, as well as modifications to the U Bulhara street and the adjacent intersection, which should be more friendly to pedestrians and cyclists.

Day centers provide homeless people with clothing, medical treatment, and the opportunity to wash. The city has been renting the space under the expressway to Naděje since 2007. Originally, the center was supposed to remain at the intersection only until mid-2010, but the city repeatedly extended the contract, most recently last May for two years, which was criticized by the Prague 1 city hall. According to the city hall's leadership, such a facility near the main train station is necessary and will remain there permanently. This is why a study was created to propose how to enhance and beautify the space for both the center's clients and the general public.

The proposed modifications are divided into three areas: the first concerns the Naděje center, the second the adjacent parking lot, and the third the U Bulhara street. Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (for TOP 09) stated that the estimated cost of the renovations is 20 million crowns. "We believe that the entire project will be completed within two years and that we will begin in this half of the year," he added. According to him, the first modifications should be related to the Naděje center, which will receive a new fence, surfaces, and better sanitary facilities for its clients. The expressway is meant to function as a roof and the fence as a façade, so the center will be designed as an "outdoor interior".

In the next phase, the parking lot will be addressed, where, according to the study, an alternative public space with a pavilion serving as a gallery should be created. The study also plans to widen sidewalks in U Bulhara street, improve cycling passability, introduce new surfaces, and add greenery. According to Hlaváček, the city is also preparing modifications to the U Bulhara intersection towards Žižkov, which should improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

According to councilor Jan Chabr (TOP 09), the city could extend the lease for the Naděje center for a longer period in the future. "From our perspective, the space opens up, especially considering that we are making such a large investment there, for a longer term for the lease agreement to exist," he said. Councilor Milena Johnová (Prague Sobě) added that as part of the effort to decentralize facilities for homeless people, Naděje has reduced the scope of services provided, and the city is trying to open more smaller day centers.

The director of the Prague branch of Naděje, Dan Svoboda, added that the day center was established in the area specifically because homeless people were congregating there, so their presence cannot be solely attributed to the existence of the center. He noted that about 150 clients use the center's services daily from 09:00 to 19:00, and they can visit a general practitioner three times a week and a gynecologist and dentist once a week. However, according to him, this year there has been a problem with financing medical care after the organization’s European grant expired.

According to Svoboda, Naděje should be able to pay the doctors from a grant from the city hall until August, but afterwards they would need a subsidy from the Ministry of Health, which they received previously. "So far, we have been informed that the Ministry of Health does not plan to provide a subsidy," he said. He added that he hopes for a change in the ministry's stance.