In Teplice, the construction of a new shopping center will begin

Teplice - In Teplice, the construction of a new shopping center will begin in the coming days at Svobody Square; the former Prior building will be demolished in the fall. The reconstruction is expected to cost around 1.2 billion crowns, and the center is projected to employ 500 people. Martin Jonáš, the project spokesman, informed ČTK in a press release.
    "The opening of Galerie Teplice to the public is expected in the spring of 2013," Jonáš added. The shopping center is set to offer around 90 shops, cafes, and services. According to Dandreet's director, Luděk Schmidt, 50 percent of the 20,000 square meters of commercial space has already been rented out before the construction begins.
    Approximately 450 parking spaces will be added in the city center. Most will be in a covered rooftop parking lot, while a smaller portion will be underground. The roofs of the building will be gabled, which, according to the designers of the reconstruction, suits the spa town. The building is also to be glazed, allowing for visibility inside and outside, so the surroundings can observe the activities inside. One option the architects propose is a glass facade for the building, which would be the work of the Teplice AGC plant.
    The upcoming work will primarily involve archaeological research and related earthworks and utility line relocations. "The actual demolition of the existing structures is expected to begin this fall," Schmidt stated. The architectural design and project documentation were created by the České Budějovice Atelier 8000.
    A portion of the residents of Teplice has opposed the reconstruction of the former Prior building in the city center. They fear, among other things, that the building will become a site for advertising or traffic from deliveries. For example, Jakub Mráček from the non-profit organization Propolis demands the preservation of construction within historical boundaries, a realistic assessment of the multifunctionality of the building, or a discussion on reducing the number of parking spaces.
    Mayor Jaroslav Kubera (ODS) previously told ČTK that the city can intervene in the investor's plan only very limitedly. He explained that this pertains to the reconstruction of an already existing building being conducted by the property owner. He added that the city welcomes the plan, as its aim is to bring life back to the center of the city.