Reconstruction of Sofia Square is delayed, companies have withdrawn

Prague - The reconstruction of Sofia Square in the Prague district of Modřany, which was supposed to start in mid-October, is being postponed. A second company that participated in the tender has withdrawn from the bidding due to capacity reasons before signing the contract. At the same time, the cost of the project, which was the main evaluation criterion in the competition, is rising. Despite the complications, the district wants the work to begin this year. The council will decide on the selection of a third bidder, said Deputy Mayor of Prague 12 Jiří Fremr (ODS) today.

Four companies participated in the tender for the reconstruction of Sofia Square. The winning company offered to carry out the work for approximately 25.5 million crowns. The second contractor competed with a price of about 28 million crowns. The company that came in third place quoted a price of just under 30 million crowns, according to the minutes of the evaluation committee's meeting.

According to Fremr, it is difficult to estimate a specific date for when the reconstruction of Sofia Square could begin. "After the council of the city district selects a contractor, the company is notified of the selection, then there is a period for possible appeals, signing the contract, and only after that can the work begin," he said.

The modifications to Sofia Square have been divided into several parts by the municipal authority, which also includes the redevelopment of park areas. The district planned to spend about 90 million crowns on the reconstruction. It received a grant from the city hall for this project, which covered about a third of the costs. In Modřany, a new town hall building is also being constructed, the cost of which is continually increasing. According to Fremr, this is a key project for Prague 12, which is why the plan for the square's reconstruction has been reduced mainly to the repair of hardened surfaces between the department store Prior and the post office building. It is expected that the final amount will be lower, Fremr stated.

Sofia Square has not been repaired since the 1980s, except for minor adjustments. The area is expected to be maximally low-maintenance and suitable for hosting various social events. Currently, markets are held on the site. Whether the town hall will move them elsewhere during the reconstruction is still under negotiation, according to Fremr.