Přelouč is selecting the form of the new library from the proposals

Přelouč - The town of Přelouč in the Pardubice region will choose a new design for the library from four architectural proposals, which it wants to build in the coming years with European subsidies. The public is also involved in the decision-making process, and they can vote in an online survey. The councilors will select the winning design on March 3. Ivan Moravec (Independents for Přelouč), the deputy mayor, said this today to ČTK.

The modern appearance of the library was proposed by architects Martin Hájek, Milan Košař, and Soňa Formanová, among others. For instance, Košař designed a building whose windows resemble books stacked on shelves. The historically influenced design is from Pavel Maléř, whose proposal currently leads in the online survey.

"I personally really like architect Maléř's proposal; it works well with the internal spaces. But we also liked the design from architect Formanová; it beautifully addresses the space in the courtyard. All the proposals are actually quite good. The councilors will decide," said Moravec.

In the project, architects had to consider the necessary space for the library, including sections for children and adults, and propose rooms for community groups. The estimated cost for the realization of the projects ranges from 60 to 90 million crowns. Martin Hájek's design also includes an underground parking lot, which increases the cost. According to the deputy mayor, however, the town does not have a requirement for parking spaces.

The library is to be located at the corner of the square where the current building no. 27 stands, which the town will demolish. It will be next to a building with arcades. The existing structure dates back to the 1920s and is not under heritage protection. Previously, it was a dormitory for an agricultural school and before that, apartments for the local savings bank. According to the town, renovating the building would be more expensive than constructing a new one.

The town has already decided to apply for European subsidies during the EU funding period starting in 2021, which will be provided by the Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) program of the Hradec Králové-Pardubice agglomeration. "Even if we don't receive any subsidies, we would have to address the library, but probably at a slower pace. The existing library is inadequate; when the librarians want to buy a new book, they have to discard an old one because they have nowhere to put it," Moravec said.