Strakonice will apply for a building permit for the modifications of the Great Square in the spring

Strakonice - Strakonice will apply for a building permit needed for the modifications of the Great Square in the spring. The municipal office wants to restrict traffic flow, increase the area, and create a space where farmer's markets or cultural events could be held. The roundabout, which features the statue of Švanda the Piper, will be transformed into a T-shaped intersection. Work is expected to begin next year, with the original cost estimate around 50 million crowns. The council discussed the project today. Representatives of the city's leadership told ČTK.

The project is expected to be completed in March. "The goal is to maintain two-way traffic, limit parking, create a public space for events, markets, concerts, so that there is greenery and some water feature," said Deputy Mayor Rudolf Oberfalcer (Strakonická Veřejnost). The designer is now finalizing the materials for the building permit.

The council is already addressing the details, and the project is being finalized. The transformation of the square was discussed years ago during the event Revitalize Strakonice, when some members of the city's leadership were not yet politically active. The preparation took years, partly due to lengthy negotiations with property owners. In some locations, the terrain will be lowered or raised, and the logistics of supplying will be addressed. Some utility networks will also be modified.

"The goal is to really make it a square, to enlarge the area, to make it a centerpiece of the city. It should be a place where people can gather, where there should be farmer's markets, various social events, and a stage could be set up. It really should be a square; right now, it is divided into two halves by that ramp. There should be a large area," said Mayor Břetislav Hrdlička (Strakonická Veřejnost) to ČTK.

Strakonice has a budget this year with revenues of 622.1 million and expenditures of 704.6 million crowns. The deficit of 82.4 million will be covered from funds from previous years. The main investment will be the renovation of Volyňská Street, which will take a year and a half, with the city estimating costs at 120 million crowns. The city has also allocated 15 million crowns for the purchase of ten percent of the shares of the heating plant, after which it will be the sole owner.