Kutná Hora has redesigned the area around the city library, where people can refresh themselves on hot days

Kutná Hora – Kutná Hora has modified the surroundings of the city library on Na Náměti Street. Workers have built stabilized areas, planted greenery, and installed a drinking fountain with a misting system, which will serve visitors for refreshment on hot days. The modifications cost nearly three million crowns. The goal was to create a new public space that architecturally connects to the appearance of the recently built library, said Mayor Lukáš Seifert (ODS) to ČTK.

"It was basically such a debt, because after the library was completed, only a temporary solution was made. Now it has been possible to complete the surroundings of the library according to the original project, so that it architecturally fits with the building," stated the mayor. Thanks to the greenery, rainwater will not drain from the area, and the parking spaces have also been improved. New areas made of special concrete have also been added, which, according to the mayor, does not heat up at high temperatures.

The city library was created by converting a former school on Na Náměti Street and has been serving readers since May 2022. The original spaces on Husova Street were already inadequate. The costs for building the new library with a cultural and educational center on Na Náměti Street exceeded 180 million crowns. However, the project was complicated due to archaeological findings. The rescue research uncovered an eight-meter-deep medieval well and other remains of older buildings. This incurred additional costs.

In the past, the city also faced the risk that it would not be able to use EU funding for the reconstruction. According to the original conditions, it was sufficient that the building was in a heritage zone registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. However, the rules changed, and it was stipulated that the building to be renovated must be a monument. Ultimately, this obstacle was removed by declaring the former school a cultural monument.