The leadership of Prague has approved the change of the plan and the contract for the Žižkov Freight Station

Prague - Prague has completed a long-planned change to the zoning plan, which is necessary for the development of a large part of the land in the area surrounding the former Žižkov freight station. The change was approved today by city councilors along with the wording of contracts with developers regarding so-called contributions, which the companies will provide to the city for the construction of public infrastructure. The councilors will still vote on the change and the contracts. The city hall also recently purchased the historic station building from Czech Railways.

"This is a very significant change. The character of the area will change, allowing for the construction of apartments and schools. A new piece of the city will emerge here," said councilor for finance Zdeněk Kovářík (ODS).

Most of the land around the station was previously under a development ban, the lifting of which required the approval of a change to the zoning plan. The ban has since become invalid due to a new construction law, but a plan change is still necessary for residential projects by developers in the area. The council decided to initiate the change in 2008, and the process began in 2010.

According to the document approved by the councilors, this is the largest change to the zoning plan in Prague so far, allowing for housing development for up to 20,000 residents. Ninety-five percent of the area will be used for housing. In the past, the city commissioned an urban study as a basis, according to which predominantly residential buildings with sufficient public services, schools, and parks should be created on the land. The study and the planned change had previously been criticized by some local groups and environmental organizations.

To ensure the necessary investments in public infrastructure, the city hall has been negotiating in recent years with developers who plan to build in the area about so-called contributions to public amenities. The city signed a contract with Finep along with Prague 3, and the contracts approved today are planned with Sekyra Group, Central Group, Penta, and MY Park. The total co-investment from the investors amounts to 1.4 billion crowns.

According to the materials, investors in the so-called planning agreements commit to building a kindergarten and social service facilities, four parks, renovating part of public spaces, or providing land for the planned tram line that is intended to go through the new district, which the transport company plans to start building next year.

"A significant portion of these funds will go towards the development of education in the area. For example, part of the negotiated planning contract with Central Group includes the construction of a six-classroom kindergarten, while the contract with Sekyra Group includes a financial contribution of over 411 million crowns for the construction of a new elementary school," stated Deputy Mayor Pavel Dobeš (STAN) of Prague 3. He added that a total of five kindergartens and two elementary schools will be built in the affected area.

The city hall also signed a contract with Czech Railways at the end of last year for the purchase of the historic building of the former station, for which it paid the state carrier 1.43 billion crowns. In the future, according to statements from city representatives, an extension with a school, apartments, shops, or cultural spaces is planned for the building. "The station building is enormous and holds great significance for the area, which is one of the largest brownfields in Prague and will come to life significantly in the coming years. Regarding the future use of the building, we definitely want to realize an extension, but that will still be a subject of discussion with heritage conservationists," said property councilor Adam Zábranský (Pirates).

The functionalist-style station building was constructed between 1934 and 1937 and ceased to serve its original purpose in 2002.