Prague will conclude an agreement with the developer for the renovation of Wenceslas Square

Prague - The Prague city council will conclude an agreement on the reconstruction of the lower part of Wenceslas Square with Prague 1 and the company Welwyn. The document is intended to ensure that ramps from underground garages will not lead to the square and that residents will be able to use the passages during the renovations. This follows from a document approved by Prague councilors today. An extensive development project called Savarin with offices and shops is being built between Wenceslas Square and Panska and Jindrisska streets.

According to previous plans, ramps were to be placed on Wenceslas Square, allowing cars to drive into underground garages. Residents and experts opposed this. Critics pointed out that the construction of ramps is contrary to the interests of state heritage conservation and would bring more traffic, noise, dust, and emissions to the center.

The city and the local council eventually agreed with the developer that no ramps would be constructed. A new solution for the transport service of the project has been found. The document approved today confirms this agreement.

Part of the material is an agreement to ensure pedestrian access through all passages that connect the project during the operation of the subway. "The contract further defines the public space within the entire project, which can be used by the public, and the company commits to make these spaces available for public use and equip them with appropriate furnishings," the document states.

The dispute over the ramps had previously blocked the start of the reconstruction of the lower part of Wenceslas Square from the Můstek to the outlets of Vodičkova and Jindřišská streets. The repairs are set to begin this year. The area for pedestrians will be expanded and only cars with permits will be allowed to enter the square. The space for cars will be narrowed, but access to buildings will remain preserved.

The leadership of Prague also plans to reconstruct the upper part of the square, where tram tracks are to return. They should run along the current car lanes. In the past, the rails were located in the center of the square. A second row of trees will be added to the square, parking spaces will be reduced, and the central space will be expanded beyond the original plan.