Prague does not know when the repair of the Hus monument will begin

Prague - The Prague City Hall has no idea when the restoration of the statue of Master Jan Hus in the Old Town Square will begin, as it is in poor condition. Although surveys have already been conducted, the city has entered into a dispute with the agency Qeep. According to an earlier agreement with the city gallery, the company was supposed to finance the repairs from the proceeds of the advertising that was on the scaffolding. However, the City Hall removed both the scaffolding and the advertisement last November.
    The method of financing the restoration of the statue has long been criticized by councilor Milan Richter (ODS). According to him, the contract with the agency is disadvantageous for the city and is essentially non-terminable. Because of it, Karel Srp was previously removed from the head of the gallery.
    Richter is particularly unhappy that while the restoration work is estimated to last a year, the statue would be under advertisement for three times longer. Moreover, the public procurement law is allegedly being bypassed. "There must be a public tender for the restorer. Then we must select an advertising agency that will place the advertisement on the scaffolding only for the duration of the work," Richter told reporters today.
    The cost of repairing the statue is estimated to be 12 million crowns. Richter does not know when it will start. "There must be competitions and funding secured," he stated. The statue group by Ladislav Šaloun, unveiled in 1915, is still leased to the company Queep, with which the city has unresolved relations. "It’s a matter for lawyers," added the councilor.
    Restorers have found that the steel bolts connecting the statue are at the end of their lifespan. The stability of the pedestal is also compromised. The drainage holes are non-functional. The statue is also mechanically damaged on its surface.