Prague City Council have objected to demolition plans of a building located at the capital’s famous Wenceslas Square. However the district authorities are eager to issue the permission for demolition. Investor – Václavské náměstí 19 a.s. wants to erect a modern office and shopping centre in the place of a historic tenement house.
Opinion of the city council is based on the fact that the building erected in 1880 does not pose any danger to occupants and the vicinity. Councilors point out the influence of the new investment on the degradation of the urban fabric of a significant historical value. According to Josef Nosek, the representative of Civic Democratic Party (ODS), there is enough commercial space in the city centre, including vacancies awaiting for new tenants – as reads the ceskapozice.cz. What is more, the investment plans of Václavské náměstí 19 a.s. are not consistent with the assumed zoning plan.
The investment plans have triggered outrage in the local community. Over 9 000 of citizens have signed the online petition against demolition of the building, which is planned by the developer for October 2011.