Part of the residents of Říčany are protesting against the construction of apartments in the city center

Říčany (near Prague) - A part of the twelve-thousand inhabitants of Říčany is protesting against the planned construction of a housing estate in the city’s center. The company RIM ENGINEERING plans to build a residential complex in an area known as Na Fialce, where 135 apartments are expected to be developed in the first phase. Over 700 people signed a petition against the construction, reported ČTK Martina Kořenová from the Fialka Civic Association. The company's plans will be discussed on Thursday at a public meeting at the city cultural center.
"Říčany is struggling with an influx of residents. Kindergartens and schools are overcrowded, and there is no money for new ones. The city is now paving the way for such an extensive project in the heart of Říčany," added Kořenová. According to the petitioners, the construction will fundamentally change the character of the central part of Říčany. The traffic that it will bring will then endanger pedestrians.
The managing director of RIM ENGINEERING, Petros Papadopoulos, told ČTK that three residential buildings and three so-called villa houses with a total of 135 apartments are to be built on the land designated for residential development by the zoning plan. "The zoning proceedings for this project took place last year without any comments," he added. As part of the zoning proceedings, a study of traffic load on adjacent streets, hydrological and geological conditions of the construction site was also prepared, and the results were incorporated into the construction documentation.
It is precisely the complicated hydrogeological situation that the opponents of the construction are also warning about. "It is in the area where a stream used to flow, I remember the floods, and we have groundwater just below the surface. Under such conditions, should underground garages be built?," noted Jan Petříček, who lives directly at the planned construction site.
According to Papadopoulos, the company will invest approximately 25 million CZK in the project for a comprehensive solution of engineering networks, including sewage, which will drain not only the land on which the investor is building but also the existing buildings. The capacity of the new sewer system is designed to allow for the connection of the Říčany train station after reconstruction.
According to councilor and petition committee member Miroslav Martiš, the construction will also affect the rows of trees that local residents planted with the support of the city hall in October 1968 as a symbol of resistance against the Soviet occupation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the republic.
"It is true that we requested permission to cut down just one single tree. This loss will be compensated by extensive planting of greenery in the residential area," stated Papadopoulos. The company will also build two playgrounds, a park, and a fountain as part of the project and repair the playground on the neighboring land.
"This area is designated for development according to the approved zoning plan from 1998. Public green spaces must be respected, which this project complies with. The percentage of greenery even exceeds the zoning plan's requirements threefold," said Mayor Adriena Mrázová to ČTK. According to her, the investor will build on private land, so the city can only intervene in the project as a participant in the zoning and building proceedings.
According to Mrázová, the project also respects the increase in pedestrian safety. The investor has committed to build a raised crossing at their own expense on Politických vězňů and Scheinerova streets.
The city hall in Říčany announced several construction moratoria in October to prevent uncontrolled development in the city. However, this project is not affected by the moratorium because the zoning proceedings took place several months earlier. "Although the investor does not have a building permit, apartments are already being sold," warned the opponents of the construction. They claim that the price of a four-room apartment with a duplex can reach up to seven million crowns.
"The pre-sale statistics show that 90 percent of the reserved apartments are sought after by existing residents of Říčany who want to upgrade their living standards," added Papadopoulos. Most apartments are, according to him, two or three rooms priced from 1.8 million crowns including VAT.
RIM ENGINEERING is, according to the mayor, one of the few investors who consults their plans with the city from the beginning. "In other parts of the city, we have apartment buildings rising about which we learn from sales billboards, but which apparently do not disturb anyone," she noted.