The complaint regarding the reconstruction of Sofia Square in Prague 12 was rejected by the contractors

Prague – Complaints made by Prague 12 regarding the reconstruction of Sofijské náměstí were rejected by the contracting companies Gardenline and Architektura. At the beginning of September, the northern part of the renovated square was approved, excluding the ramps. This was communicated today by the spokesperson for the twelfth district, Eva Burianová. According to her, the slope of the ramps is in violation of the ordinance on barrier-free use of buildings. The National Council of Persons with Disabilities of the Czech Republic (NRZP) previously pointed out the shortcomings. Prague 12 paid approximately 52 million crowns for the modifications of Sofijské náměstí. Construction work began in October 2019, and the renovation was completed last year.

Deputy Mayor of the district Jiří Fremr (ODS) previously denied that the leadership of the district made mistakes regarding the square's reconstruction. He stated on the Prague 12 website that it was likely an error of the author's supervision, technical supervision, or the construction contractor. According to the deputy mayor, these parties are responsible to the investor for the compliance of the proposed solution or modifications with current regulations, standards, and ordinances. "In our case, however, some enforced modifications pointed out by the audit do not meet this requirement," he wrote.

The author of the project documentation for the square's reconstruction, the Architektura studio led by architect David Kraus, as well as the construction contractor Gardenline, repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Opposition councilor Stanislav Kadeřábek (for ANO) said at today's meeting of the municipal district council, referring to statements from the author of the project documentation David Kraus, that the project designed in 2017 accounted for appropriate slopes and that the change of the ramp slope originated at the request of Prague 12. According to Kadeřábek, the construction company Gardenline stated that the ramp slope implementation was discussed orally and confirmed by the investor. However, the company Architektura prepared a proposal to solve the issue with the ramp slopes in the summer. According to the leadership of the twelfth district, however, the proposal does not meet the necessary parameters. In the second half of August, Prague 12 had the missing railings and contrast strips installed in the square.

According to the NRZP report, the completed construction does not allow for barrier-free passage through the square, which was one of the conditions of the public tender. "The construction, after completion, does not allow independent or safe movement for people with disabilities, for seniors, or for those with small children or with strollers," stated the NRZP.

The reconstruction of Sofijské náměstí was one of the reasons why opposition councilor Michal Pinc (ANO) unsuccessfully proposed the removal of Mayor Jan Adamce (Pirates) at today's Prague 12 council meeting. According to Pinc, the mayor's approach to addressing the shortcomings of the square's repair is lax, which could lead to the expiration of potential claims. The investment project was also labeled an "embarrassment" by opposition councilor Stanislav Kadeřábek (for ANO). Opposition councilor Svatopluk Semecký (KSČM/Citizens of the Twelfth) also criticized it.

In Prague 12, the coalition consists of representatives from the Pirates, ODS, TOP 09, and the Greens. Prague 12, with a population of 56,617, includes the entire cadastral areas of Cholupice, Kamýk, Komořany, Modřany, and Točná.