Zlín plans to modify the area of Smurf City, operators want to keep the businesses

Zlín - Zlín is planning to modify the area in the Jižní Svahy housing estate known as Smurf City, where there are small buildings housing bars, pubs, and a confectionery. In their place, it intends to build a community center with a wide range of services and cultural activities for all age groups. ČTK was informed today by city hall spokesman Tomáš Melzer. The operators of the local businesses, who are tenants on city-owned land, are striving to maintain their establishments. In mid-October, they founded the Smurf City Zlín association and are against the termination of lease agreements and the demolition of the buildings, having also drafted a petition.

"We sent a request to the city for the sale of the land, or at least a guarantee of the long-term contracts so that we can take loans and revitalize the entire area," said the association's chairman Tomáš Pantlík in a statement sent to ČTK. The association has two dozen members. Tenants want to invest in the area. "We have teamed up with an architect, as we want to unify the entire area, especially in collaboration with the city. We are ready to invest in our properties, without burdening the budget. We want to build benches, relaxation zones, charging stations, and a children's playground," said Pantlík.

The small buildings have been in this area for 30 years. The city leadership wants to meet with representatives of the association and the petition initiators. "The city of Zlín began negotiations in October with the owners of the temporary buildings located on city land. The buildings in the so-called Smurf City have been in place since the start of installation in 1993 for a temporary period of ten years. They have now been on site for over 30 years and do not serve the purpose of supplementing civic amenities for Jižní Svahy," Melzer stated.

The city can terminate tenants' leases with a three-month notice period. "Nevertheless, the city leadership wants to negotiate with the representatives of the tenants in Smurf City. All tenants have been warned for a long time by the property management department that the city is considering modifying this area. The leadership of Zlín is convinced that the current state of Smurf City requires fundamental changes and a complete reconstruction to improve the service offerings for residents of Jižní Svahy. Therefore, we are considering a modern facility that will be designed as a community center," the spokesman stated.

According to him, the city offers tenants coordination for the demolition if they cooperate with the city and agree to cease operations in a reasonable time frame, ideally within a year or a year and a half. "We are convinced that the reconstruction of the temporary buildings is not feasible to achieve the goals anticipated by the leadership of the city of Zlín," the spokesman concluded.