The dilapidated eastern train station in Děčín will be transformed into a science center

Děčín - The dilapidated eastern station in Děčín will likely become an educational center in the future. Representatives of several institutions signed a memorandum of cooperation for its establishment today. Students of the Czech Technical University (ČVUT), which has a branch in Děčín, could be educated in the historical building of the Austrian Northwest Railway. The spokesperson of the town hall, Markéta Lakomá, informed ČTK about the signing of the memorandum.

The aim of the collaboration between the city, Ústí Region, ČVUT, Czech Railways, the regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Economic and Social Council of Děčín is to create a background for educational, research, and cultural activities. Part of the site would also offer commercial services, such as conference tourism.

Some spaces could be transformed into student dormitories, laboratories, and scientific workplaces. The transportation faculty of ČVUT operates a branch in Děčín. "We would like the number of students in Děčín to continuously increase. A quality background and scientific workplaces will certainly significantly enhance their reputation," said Mayor Marie Blažková.

The technical facilities could also be utilized by entrepreneurs. "The development and innovation that the city needs cannot do without quality and educated people, and such a background, which we plan to establish in the former eastern station building, will attract them," stated the head of the Děčín branch of the transportation faculty, Ondřej Smíšek. The participating organizations aim to commemorate the history of the building with an exhibition.

The costs of repairing the property are estimated at around 400 million crowns. The owner of the site is Czech Railways. "We are open to cooperation on projects that will provide meaningful social use of the building and subsequently for the public. Our interest is to find a new owner for the Děčín East property, who will be able to draw European subsidies and renovate the building, unlike Czech Railways," said Miroslav Kupec, a member of the board of Czech Railways responsible for the property section.

The station complex was constructed by the Austrian Northwest Railway Company between 1870 and 1874 in an elaborate imperial architectural style. The station was part of a large European transport project; the company also owned a fleet of cargo vessels on the Elbe and ensured connections with the port of Hamburg and subsequently with the railway to Prague and Vienna.