Domažlice will gather proposals this year for the use of the purchased cord factory

Domažlice – This year, Domažlice will gather proposals for the use of the long-neglected Královec factory for the production of ribbons and cords. The extensive area, located in a historical monument reservation in the center, has development potential. The new city leadership, which will be decided after the municipal elections in October, will announce an architectural competition in 2027. This was stated by Mayor Stanislav Antoš (KDU-ČSL) to ČTK.

The city purchased the site last November for 11.5 million crowns. "My goal is to prepare enough materials, various perspectives, and ideas to choose from," said Antoš. The reconstruction costs will be high; the mayor compared it to the renovation of a brewery into a cultural center for 180 million crowns, for which the city received three grants. Support for the revitalization of brownfields could be drawn for the factory.

The area consists of two plots, one of which has a large historical building with Gothic cellars. "We have surveyed the building, we have a static assessment, according to which the main building is in good condition. The roof will be repaired now, but only provisionally, to prevent leaks and further deterioration," stated Antoš.

There will be an exhibition at the cultural center at the turn of February and March, showcasing proposals from architecture students at ČVUT on how to utilize the building. The first proposals were prepared by sociologist Petr Witz from Charles University with local high school students. "In February, there will also be a conference with experts from the Association of Cities and Municipalities of the Plzeň Region on how to utilize brownfields. Four locations in the region will be discussed that deserve solutions and funding, including the Královec factory," he said.

Once the city gathers proposals for utilization, according to Antoš, it should decide which buildings in the inner block and the large courtyard are unnecessary and demolish them. "We do not currently have demolition in this year's budget, but we could use funds from the investment reserve for that," he said. According to Antoš, parking spaces for the needs of the facility must be created in the back part of the area.

The main four-story building, facing Vodní Street, should be reconstructed. It could, for instance, house a large cultural hall. According to Antoš, it does not matter if the area waits several years for reconstruction. What is important is that the city can manage it, he added.

The factory, built in 1884, was the largest producer of cords, strings, braids, ribbons, and bows in Bohemia between the wars. After nationalization, it served as a clothing warehouse. After 1989, it was returned to the original owner, who neglected it, and it has been abandoned for 30 years.