The construction of the Copa Center on Národní is standing still, the investor owes money to the archaeologists

Prague - The construction of the multifunctional Copa center above the National Theatre metro station in Prague is significantly delayed. The investor, Copa Group, has owed archaeologists nearly ten million crowns for research for several months. As a result, they halted work in December, and there are no plans to resume it in the near future. The uncovered and abandoned site is meanwhile being damaged by rain and wind. Archaeologists are therefore considering burying it to prevent further damage. Tomasz Cymbalak, head of the research from the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), said this to ČTK.
    According to the original schedule, the research was supposed to be completed at the beginning of this year, and the construction site was to be handed over and construction was to begin. According to Cymbalak, archaeologists need about 40 more days to complete the research. However, NPÚ has no idea when the scientists will return to the site.
    Additionally, the project may be influenced by a potential declaration of the discovered Gothic cellars as a cultural monument. This proposal has already been submitted by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) to the Ministry of Culture. According to Cymbalak, the heritage conservationists have not yet recorded any negative feedback. If the ministry adds the medieval cellars to the list of cultural monuments, the investor would have to preserve them and incorporate them into the construction plans.
    The delay of the Copa center also postpones the reconstruction of the metro station planned by the transport company. In the past, there was a wave of resistance from many Prague residents against this, as the station would have to be closed for several months. There have already been speculations that the timing of the reconstruction is influenced by the autumn local elections. Some politicians are reportedly concerned that transport complications during the elections would reduce the current city leadership's voter support. Therefore, it is said that the station's reconstruction will only begin after the elections. The owner and CEO of Copa Group, Sebastian Pawlowski, is often associated with the city's administration. For example, he rented the Škodův Palace, for which Prague will pay four billion crowns for a twenty-year lease.
    Regardless of the construction delays, the construction of an accessible elevator from the station began in December. The city hall will cost 186 million crowns.
    According to Copa Group, the start of construction is currently being delayed by ownership disputes over the land. "A certain individual filed a request several months ago claiming ownership of the parcel where the Copa center National will be located, arguing that this individual purchased the parcel in 2001 from a person who restituted the land," said company spokesperson Karin Cífková. According to her, the company considers this claim entirely unfounded, but a court must decide on the dispute. According to Pawlowski, this will delay construction by several months.
    Excavations at the future site of the Copa center began at the end of July. Archaeologists describe the research as one of the most important in the city center in recent times. They have so far investigated about two-thirds of the area. Near Spálená Street, they managed to uncover 11 intact Gothic cellars of houses that were demolished here in the second half of the 20th century.