Opava wants further studies on the use of the Slezanka shopping center

Opava - The future use of the former shopping center Slezanka in Opava will be decided by further studies. They have been commissioned by the city management. Some city council members disagree with the demolition of the building, which was proposed by last year's study from the architectural office re-architekti. The proposal includes the demolition of the structure and the construction of residential buildings in its place. Some representatives of the city would prefer to repair and find a new use for the currently abandoned, unattractive, and decaying building in the historic center of Opava. This was stated by Mayor Radim Křupala (ČSSD) to ČTK.

The contract for the study on the use of the space was awarded to the Prague urban planning office re-architekti at the beginning of last year for 1.4 million crowns. The proposed vision addressed not only the Slezanka building but also the free park behind it. The proposal includes the demolition of the shopping building and the construction of a covered market and 16 residential buildings. The total cost is estimated to be approximately 712 million crowns. However, not all council members agree with the plan.

"I can imagine that a new use could be found. The purpose of the building could consist of a combination of dining, leisure, and educational services. I can envision setting up a cafe, a children's play area, and a training center," Křupala said. According to him, the cellars and roof could also be utilized, possibly for a restaurant with a viewing terrace.

The city has therefore contacted three other architectural firms. They are to submit their studies on how to utilize the unattractive building in the historic core of Opava by the end of May. The city will pay 100,000 crowns for the proposals.

The Slezanka shopping center is a panel building constructed on the site where ancient brewhouses stood in the 17th century. The block, with its residential style, connects to the historic urban development of the center and neighbors a Gothic church. The building has long been problematic for the city hall. The previous city administration purchased the property in the central Upper Square in 2008 from a private owner. At that time, city representatives expressed a willingness to invest in the repair of the building or its demolition and the construction of a new center. The city took out a loan of 270 million crowns to pay the purchase price.

The department store was then largely empty for a long time, and only in 2012 was it possible to find an interested party for its operation. However, it has long been unsuccessful in renting out the spaces. The city opted for the option of selling the building to a development company, which was supposed to create a new shopping center here. The previous city administration signed a contract with the developer in 2005 for its construction.

However, preparations have dragged on, and recently, more and more people have expressed the opinion that the shopping center should not be built. Changes in opinion were also influenced by the construction of another shopping center, Breda & Weinstein, which was built nearby. Covering an area of over 25,000 square meters, it offers space for more than 100 stores, a multiplex cinema with six halls, restaurants, and a café. After negotiations, the development company withdrew from the plan. Since then, the city hall has been trying to figure out what to do with Slezanka next.