The Railway Administration wants to sell the unused building of the lower station in Jablonec nad Nisou, it has announced a public tender. It is asking CZK 2.395 million for the dilapidated building from the end of the 19th century, but bidders can offer less. The station, which is in dire need of complete reconstruction, stands between the railway and tram tracks on Brandl and is part of the retaining wall that strengthens the slope. Jablonec is not interested in the building because of the high cost of the necessary reconstruction, said Jana Fričová, a spokeswoman for the municipality.
The former station building with a restaurant and offices from 1889 no longer serves its purpose and was slated for demolition five years ago. The Railway Administration is now trying to monetise it. “The brick building with two above-ground and two underground floors with a gable roof has been unused for a long time. It is disconnected from the utilities, the windows and doors at the track level are bricked up to prevent the entry of unwanted persons. However, the building can be connected to the electricity, sewerage and gas supply from the public street lines,” the Railway Administration said.
The building is located in a very busy place, the I/14 road from Liberec via Vratislavice to Jablonec passes by, trains stop on the adjacent line every 15 minutes and trams have a similar frequency, although currently due to the reconstruction of the line, buses run instead. However, the service should be restored in the near future. The new owner also has to take into account that there is a low-voltage connection through the building for the outdoor lighting of the railway station and also the power supply for the signalling equipment, both of which are managed by the Railway Administration.
In the past, the Association for the Restoration of Railways in Jablonec nad Nisou sought to save the station by building a clubhouse and a large model railway track, and the association also considered opening a café or restaurant. However, the plan was abandoned. Despite its age, the building does not have monument protection, and those interested in the 630 square metre plot with the building can submit bids to the Railway Administration until 5 March.
Source: CTK
Photo: Wikipedie
