The council has approved a change allowing the reconstruction of Masaryk Station

Prague - The Prague councilors today approved a change to the zoning plan that will allow for the reconstruction of Masaryk Station. Tereza Králová, a spokesperson for the Prague City Hall, told ČTK. The station will retain a reserve for a connection to the express rail line to the airport, which Prague 1 disagrees with. The change must still be approved by the assembly. If this happens, the building ban in the area will be lifted.
    The change preserves the station and protects the post office building on Hybernská Street. It allows for the connection of Pernerova and Na Florenci streets, among other things. It also plans for the establishment of a railway museum. The assembly could discuss the change in March.
    According to Deputy Mayor Tomáš Hudeček (TOP 09), Masaryk Station is one of the key stations for Prague, primarily due to its connection to the line from Kladno, which is not linked to the main station. "Masaryk Station will retain its significance for a long time, its importance should actually be strengthened," said Deputy Mayor Tomáš Hudeček (TOP 09) to reporters today.
    The original proposal from the investor, which began to be prepared several years ago, required that the reserve for connection to the express rail be built over. The company Penta, which is to be involved in the reconstruction of the station, now claims that both options are viable for them. "For us, preserving the possibility of a future connection of Masaryk Station to the airport is important and we clearly support this connection," said Penta spokesperson Martin Danko in recent days. According to him, the extent of the railway facilities should be decided by experts.
    The Railway and Transport Administration (SŽDC) is now preparing a study for this purpose. According to earlier statements from SŽDC, maintaining the reserve is justified.
    However, Prague 1, which owns one of the plots of land in the area, does not agree with the preservation of space for two more tracks along Na Florenci street. According to a statement sent to ČTK by the spokesperson for the city district, Veronika Blažková, the narrowed space does not allow for appropriate development and keeping the reserve would create a new brownfield, that is, an abandoned area with dilapidated buildings.
    According to Hudeček, it is possible to discuss future development even after the change is approved. "I have no problem accommodating the requests of SŽDC, Czech Railways, and the interests of Prague 1 for better land use, but I don't think we should reopen this as part of the change now. It would be a shame to alter such a complicated agreement on such a large area," Hudeček added.
    Czech Railways (ČD) owns most of the land at Masaryk Station. The reconstruction of the station is planned by Masaryk Station Development, in which ČD holds about 34 percent and the majority is owned by the investment group Penta.
    Masaryk Station primarily serves suburban transport, with over 30,000 passengers passing through it daily.