Chrudim is planning a new use for the abandoned spaces of the old town hall

Chrudim - The city of Chrudim is looking for uses for the abandoned spaces of the old town hall, where the municipal police used to be based. It has selected an architectural studio to propose what could be done there. The courtyard with arcades could also be accessible to the public. The mayor, František Pilný (ANO), said this to reporters today.

"Last year, the municipal police moved out of here. There is a tourist information center on the ground floor. In the back section, where lost and found used to be, a local action group has moved in. However, the majority of the building is empty," Pilný said.

The design for the building at Ressel Square will be done by Daniela Klikarová from Kliks atelier. "Upstairs, there could be a museum exhibition, but we want to avoid it being purely a museum. We are leaning towards a more modern exhibition, with five chairs at a table, one of which will be Josef Ressel. You can have coffee with him, take a picture with him," said the mayor. According to him, the courtyard with arcades could become a relaxation area. He would also like to establish a toilet for wheelchair users in the building.

Last year, the municipal police moved to buildings on Hradební Street, which belonged to the state police. The state police has been based in a new building in the former Transporta area since 2020. According to the mayor, the city is investing millions of crowns into the old town hall. "The project costs 170,000 crowns; it will depend on what modifications the architect proposes," the mayor added.

The town hall is a one-story building, taller than the other houses due to its entablature. It has a tower with a clock, which dates back to the 19th century. The building has a medieval core, and its Gothic cellars have been preserved. In the 1960s and 1990s, the city renovated the building; the cellars are damaged from modifications because a civil protection shelter was created there.