Due to the relocation of Radio Free Europe, the zoning plan must be changed

PRAGUE - In connection with the planned construction of a new building for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) in Hagibor, Prague 10, the city must change its zoning plan. The radio station will move to Hagibor from the building of the former Federal Assembly at Wenceslas Square. The company Orco Property Group will build the house for it.
The city council today agreed to proceed with the change of the plan; the process will take about a year. "Although this is a request from a private developer supported by Prague 10, it is a significant change for the city," said the mayor's deputy Jan Bürgermeister (ODS) to reporters. "We very much welcome that the building of the former Federal Assembly will be released from the security corset that greatly complicates life in the city," he added.
According to the deputy, the change of the zoning plan in Hagibor concerns about half a hectare of parcels. "It is for security reasons; the building needs to be moved further away from Vinohradská Street," Bürgermeister noted. Currently, the plots are designated as reserves for sports purposes. Thanks to the construction of the building, Hollar Square will also be expanded with a new park area, the deputy added.
The consideration of relocating the station further from the city center began after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington in September 2001. Since then, the building of the former Federal Assembly has been under security supervision, surrounded by concrete barriers. The relocation of the station is planned for the end of 2007.
The city hopes that the state will find a suitable use for the building of the former Federal Assembly. "Each of us can imagine a theater there, an open space that people can go to in their free time," Bürgermeister stated. According to him, the upper floors could be used as offices. The city administration is not interested in this building, he added.
Michal Burian