<div>Bourání hlavní budovy benešovských kasáren by mělo začít v březnu</div> <div>The demolition of the main building of the Benešov barracks is set to begin in March.</div>

Benešov - The demolition of the main building of the Benešov barracks should begin in March and last until June. The city announced a competition for the contractor and is waiting for bids to be submitted. There is interest in the contract worth 13 million crowns among companies; last week the city hall organized a tour of the building for them. Representatives from seven companies attended, said Deputy Mayor Roman Tichovský (ODS) to ČTK.

"We should decide in February at the council who will do it, and it should start in March,” stated Tichovský. The decision to demolish the main barracks structure was made by people in a referendum last October. Almost 66 percent of voters expressed support for the demolition of the so-called big palace. The city left the decision to a vote because the building is a landmark known from old postcards.

The city intends to build an elementary school on the site of the original building. It is still unclear when this will happen. The main barracks building is structurally sound, but it is not suitable for establishing classrooms due to the height of the ceilings and the size of the windows. The design of the new school will come from an architectural competition. The capacity of the facility should take into account the expected increase in the population of Benešov and the surrounding municipalities.

According to a demographic study, the population of the city is expected to rise from the current 17,000 to more than 20,000 people by 2050. The anticipated increase in the population is related to planned construction in the areas of Kavčín, Sladovka-East, Za Nádražím II, and precisely in the Táborské barracks area. These projects alone could account for up to 6,200 residents, including approximately 900 school-aged children.

In part of the Táborské barracks, residential construction has already begun, following a regulatory plan. The 25-hectare area is also planned to include civic amenities. In addition to the school, a kindergarten, a parking garage, or sports facilities are expected to be built in the brownfield.