The Railway Administration (SŽ) has announced a tender for the reconstruction of the station building in Ostrava-Vítkovice. The aim is a comprehensive renovation of the building and a new arrangement of the internal layout with an emphasis on commercial use. The estimated value of the public contract is over CZK 340 million, the total investment costs will exceed CZK 400 million, according to spokesman of SŽ Dušan Gavenda.
The construction is expected to start in April next year and be completed in two years. “The work will also include extensive renovation of the perimeter cladding, consisting of so-called boletic panels. Improvements to the forecourt area are also planned,” Gavenda said.
The station is located on the so-called Polanecká spojka, which connects Ostrava’s Svinov and Kunčice railway stations. The building was constructed in the 1960s in the so-called Brussels style and is the masterpiece of architect Josef Danda. However, the building is oversized for the needs of today’s railway and has been deteriorating for years. In 2020, the Ministry of Culture declared the passenger building a cultural monument.
“The reconstruction will significantly increase comfort for passengers and at the same time create new spaces for commercial use. We will focus on the exterior and interior of the building. The windows and the outer shell will be replaced and modern and aesthetically appropriate materials will be used,” said Jiří Svoboda, the Director General of SŽ.
The building will be insulated from the inside so as not to disturb the facade surfaces with the original cladding. “The renovation of the interior of the building will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the conservationists, the existing materials and artistic decoration will be preserved,” said the spokesman.
The ground floor of the renovated building will house the offices and ticket offices of the carriers, an information booth of the City of Ostrava, social facilities for employees and technological areas. “There will also be a new waiting room for passengers. On the other two floors there will be spaces for trade and services and offices. A lift will provide barrier-free access to the platform and the station will get a new orientation and information system,” said Gavenda. Parking areas for cars and bicycle racks, including charging stations, will be built next to the station.
The spokesman added that the train station itself and the relevant sections of the railway line will also be modernised. “The start of this investment is planned for the second half of 2026 with completion in 2029,” Gavenda said.
Source: SŽ and CTK
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
