Prague 10 Considers Billion-Crown Sale of Town Hall Amidst Relocation Debate
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The proposed sale of Prague 10’s town hall and the adjacent Eden cultural house to the development firm Energo-Pro Real Estate for an amount exceeding 1.117 billion Czech crowns has ignited a fierce debate over the future of public assets and the district’s long-term planning. Approved by district leadership before the end of last year, the deal still requires ratification by the Prague city council at its January meeting.
The move, championed by Prague 10 Mayor Martin Valovič (ODS), is presented as a necessary step to fund the acquisition of a new town hall. “The financial resources from the sale will be used for the acquisition of a new seat of the town hall, for which the city district does not have the funds,” Valovič stated. However, the final sale price remains uncertain, with the purchase contract including a clause for potential increases based on future development potential. Specifically, the price will rise by CZK 20,661 for each square meter of gross floor area exceeding the current maximum, potentially significantly altering the value from the current offering of 13,924 m² to a possible 30,632 m².
The current town hall on Vršovická Street has been vacant since the end of 2023, falling into disrepair due to a lack of maintenance. The neighboring Eden cultural house has suffered from neglect even longer, dating back to 2005. This deterioration has forced the district to lease temporary administrative offices in Strašnice, costing approximately four million crowns monthly – totaling over 100 million crowns in rental expenses over the past two years.
Opposition Voices Concerns Over Privatization
Despite the financial pressures, the proposed sale has met with strong opposition. Critics argue that public buildings should remain in public hands. “Public buildings do not belong in private hands,” asserted Jana Komrsková (Pirates), a Prague City representative. Komrsková also sharply criticized the decision to abandon previously completed reconstruction plans for both the town hall and the cultural center, plans for which Prague 10 had already invested over 80 million crowns.
The timing of the sale is also under scrutiny. Radmila Kleslová (ANO), a former mayor of Prague 10 and current council member, emphasized the need for a concrete plan for a new town hall before proceeding with the sale. “I clearly say that the sale is only possible if the management of Prague 10 finally submits a credible plan for the new seat of the town hall,” Kleslová stated.
Potential Relocation Options and a Possible Return?
However, officials maintain that such a plan does exist. Ján Hugo Tropp, head of the press department for Prague 10, revealed that the district is currently evaluating four proposals for a new location: two from Crestyl in the Hagibor area, one from PSN, and one from Carpet Invest, the current landlord of the temporary offices.
Intriguingly, a potential path back to the original site has also been floated. According to Tropp, Energo-Pro Real Estate has indicated a willingness to allow the construction of a new town hall on the land following the sale and demolition of the existing structures. “If negotiations on other options fail, Energo-Pro Real Estate is ready to allow the construction of a town hall on one of the plots,” Tropp confirmed. It remains unclear whether Prague 10 would repurchase land from Energo-Pro or build on a plot owned by the developer.
Energo-Pro Real Estate offered limited details, with a spokesperson, Hana Hikelová, stating the company is “ready to look together with Prague 10 for a realistic solution regarding the possible construction of a new town hall building.”
Questions of Sincerity and Past Controversies
The possibility of a new town hall being built on the same land is met with skepticism. “It is difficult to believe in the sincerity of the intention to build a new building on land that is currently being sold, in a situation where the finished reconstruction project of the existing one was rejected by the same coalition,” Komrsková remarked.
Adding to the controversy, Komrsková pointed to a recent 750,000 crown fine levied against individuals currently involved in the sale process by the antimonopoly office for improper awarding of construction contracts related to the temporary headquarters. “We will therefore be extremely vigilant about the current sales process,” she concluded.
