ODS wants to revive the discussion about Kaplický's library before the elections

Prague - The ODS wants to spark a new discussion about the construction of a new building for the National Library designed by architect Jan Kaplický before the elections. It aims to answer the question of whether people want this modern building in Prague. The Civic Democratic Party's candidate for mayor of Prague, Bohuslav Svoboda, stated that the current leadership of the capital, led by the ODS, which blocked the construction nicknamed the "octopus," can be considered a mistake. He is unhappy that Prague changed its opinion without sufficient justification.
    He added that the fact that the architectural competition ended "without result" is considered "a certain shame of this state, this nation."
    Kaplický's design won in the architectural competition for the new library in March 2007, yet it has not been realized. President Václav Klaus and Prague politicians, including Mayor Pavel Bém (ODS), opposed the project.
    People are now expected to express their opinions about the "blob" according to the ODS on the social network Facebook. In addition to agreeing or disagreeing, they can also suggest another location than the originally considered one in Letná Park. "We will take these voices into account in our further decision-making," said ODS candidate Jan Kalousek.
    Michaela Cibulková from the Information Institute today suggested the former Stalin monument site for the "octopus" at a press conference. According to the widow of the deceased architect, Eliška Kaplická, the project, officially called Eye Over Prague, is intended for a location from which there is a view of the metropolis. There are not many such places in Prague, she added.
    The National Library, which announced the architectural competition, no longer counts on building a new building. It has already started the reconstruction of Klementinum and plans to finish the storage facility in Hostivař, which should help alleviate capacity issues with storing books. Svoboda admitted today that Kaplický's design could also serve a different purpose than for the National Library. "A metropolis like Prague should not resist modern public buildings such as the Kaplický library project," he stated.
    He added that the ODS is not currently addressing potential financing of the construction, which according to Eliška Kaplická would cost 2.3 billion crowns. "What we need to figure out at this moment is yes or no (to the construction)," he said.
    The "octopus" was also supported by the Social Democrats led by Jiří Paroubek before the May elections to the Chamber of Deputies. "The discussion should involve all democratic political parties," Kaplická responded to the question of whether she fears being "manipulated" in the pre-election political battle.