The reconstruction of the Liebieg Palace in Liberec will start no earlier than September

Liberec - The commencement of the reconstruction of the unused Liebieg Palace in the center of Liberec into a community center for approximately 200 million crowns has once again been delayed. According to Deputy Mayor Radka Loučková Kotasová (ANO), it will start no earlier than this September. The reason for the delay is another extension of the deadline for the tender process, from which the company that will carry out the reconstruction will emerge. Interested parties can submit offers until June 10.

The city originally wanted to close the tender in February, but it has extended it several times. It received over 150 comments or questions from companies regarding the tender conditions for the project, for which there is a promise of European funding. These concerned, for example, missing items in the electrical installation bill of quantities or discrepancies between the bill of quantities and the project documentation. "Missing items have been added to the bill of quantities and it has been aligned with the project documentation. The bill of quantities has also been unified into one consolidated set based on the requirements of the grant provider," the deputy mayor told reporters. She hopes that everything is now in order. "We currently do not have any further inquiries from participants in the public procurement. I firmly believe that we will be able to conclude a contract by the end of the summer," she added.

In that case, according to her, the reconstruction of the neo-Renaissance palace could begin this September. It is already certain that the building, which will become a meeting place for people of all ages from children to seniors and different social groups after reconstruction, will not be opened at the beginning of 2022. According to the deputy mayor, they would like to complete the reconstruction by April 2022, provided there are no complications. "It is a historical building, and none of us know what may arise, and we know that constructions, especially historical ones, are accompanied by difficulties," she said.

The Liebieg Palace has been empty since 2014 when the Regional Gallery moved out. The city is planning a complete reconstruction of the large house, which was built nearly 140 years ago by factory owner Johann Liebieg. The palace should regain its original appearance from the outside, and inside there will be a new large hall, an art studio with a workshop, exhibition spaces, computer and multipurpose rooms, two gymnasiums, and a gardening club with a ceramic oven and greenhouse. There will also be a café and a children's corner, and the courtyard and garden will be renovated.