An in-depth report by Czech Television’s main news program has fleshed out the early stages of a potential deal between the Czech state and the City of Prague. The general framework has been clear since negotiations hit the front pages of the country’s newspapers earlier this week: the city has land the state wants; and the state has property — and money — that the city wants. Prime minister Andrej Babiš wants to build a new government quarter in Letňany on the northern edge of Prague, thereby freeing up a dozen ministry and institution buildings to other uses. One of these is the Ministry of Regional Development, which Babiš says would make a great place for an Apple store. Babiš claims the real estate costs CZK 25bn annually to keep running, whereas new buildings would cost the state just CZK 10bn per year.
The city is willing to sell the land, but in return it wants flats and a new hospital to be built in Letňany alongside the government quarter. It also wants the state to give it an almost-empty army barracks building in Prague 8, where Czech Television claims could serve as the new city hall building. The city currently rents the Škoda Palace on Jungmannova square.
Photo: mestskyokruh.info
