Student proposed a transformation of the square in Kadaň, which will be realized this year

Kadaň (Chomutov District) - The Students' Square in Kadaň will be transformed according to the design of former student of the Kadaň construction school, David Šmíd. The former bus station, now used as a market, is set to become a relaxation zone with an open gallery, aiming to attract the attention of locals once again. Currently, project documentation is being prepared for the design, with construction expected to begin in the autumn of this year, said Mayor Jiří Kulhánek (ODS) to ČTK.
    "The intention to transform the area was worked out by a talented student from the construction vocational school right next door. It will be a leisure area, but more active than, for example, Löschner Square - there will be a public gallery, for instance. We want to revitalize the historic center of the town," said Kulhánek. The city leadership was impressed by Šmíd's project for the Secondary School Specialized Activity, in which he proposed the design of an art gallery for Kadaň. That could not be realized, but the proposal for the Students' Square caught the interest of both the council and the assembly. Šmíd is now working on the project documentation together with a firm.
    "We made several changes to the original design. For instance, the statue of Josef II., which we will return to its pedestal in the square, was originally supposed to be colored. However, the city ultimately found that too extravagant. After consultations with the firm, we will also change some surfaces," Šmíd told ČTK today. He also proposed the design of a reading room in the city library, which has already been successfully built.
    In addition to the outdoor gallery which will replace the current parking spaces, the Students' Square will also feature a petanque court, a fountain, seating on the steps, and a chessboard among the benches. While the sidewalk currently circumvents the square, it will now run through the center of the area. "People were most concerned whether they would lose parking spaces. The existing parking area will, however, be addressed by converting longitudinal parking to transverse," added the mayor.
    In terms of scope, this will likely be one of the largest investments in Kadaň this year. The city is expected to fund the transformation of the square from its own budget. However, the amount will only be known after the completion of the project documentation.