In the historic center of Kolín, the renovated square has been opened

Kolín - The historic center of Kolín has received a new look. The reconstruction of Karlovo náměstí has completed this transformation. The repair cost 35 million crowns. This was preceded by the reconstruction of the side streets Pražská, Zámecká, Rubešova, Husova, and Kovářská. The city received a state subsidy of 31 million crowns for these works, said Mayor Jiří Buřič to reporters.
    The reconstruction of the square addressed the poor condition of the engineering networks and surfaces. About three million stone cubes were used for its paving. These are exactly the reason for complaints from some residents. The area is uneven, some cubes protrude, and it is easy to trip over them, said one of the women watching today's festivities, according to ČTK. "People complain and will continue to complain. But once the pavement settles, they will like it," countered another.
    "I will be glad if the whole Kolín looks like the square in Kolín. If it doesn't have to suffer because it has a few residents below the threshold that would allow it to receive more money (from taxes), so the city doesn't suffer from the debt it incurred due to the new factory (TPCA), for which it built apartments," said Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek to reporters today, who opened the square.
    He added that his government wants to change the budget allocation of taxes so that cities can have more say over taxes generated in the region. So they can use them and receive them as compensation for the increased demand for infrastructure due to increased industrial production, the prime minister added.
    Karlovo náměstí is the natural center of Kolín. It is lined with several houses with baroque gables. In its center stands a sandstone fountain and a plague column from 1682. In the corner of the square on the northern side stands the town hall, which has been owned by the city since 1494. Discussions about changing the appearance of the square began as early as 1999 and 2000 when the city sold shares of energy companies. From the proceeds, they decided to finance, among other things, the repair of the square.
    The work began last May and, thanks to favorable weather, it was completed by the end of January. The repair of the square was the reason for the cancellation of last year's Kmoch's Kolín brass band festival.