In the center of Liberec, repairs to two squares have been completed

Liberec - The repairs of two squares in the center of Liberec have recently been completed. The reconstruction of Nerudova and Soukenného squares cost over 27 million crowns, said today the city hall spokesman Jan Král. Traffic will be significantly restricted in both areas after the modifications.
     Nerudovo Square in the upper part of the city center primarily served as a parking lot before the reconstruction. "There was a large, bleak parking area here. Squares should not serve just for parking," said architect and one of the project's authors Boris Šonský. There are now illuminated benches, greenery, and a pedestrian zone has been created in the middle of the paved areas. Cars can only park along the perimeter, reducing the number of parking spaces from about 50 to fewer than 20.
     At Soukenné Square in the lower part of the center, cars coming from Revoluční Street are generally not permitted to enter after the modifications, whereas in the past hundreds to thousands of cars passed through daily. Only trams and, during designated times, taxis with passengers, disabled vehicles, and delivery trucks are allowed along the square next to the Forum shopping center. Shops can be supplied at certain hours via Revoluční or Pražská street.
     Both constructions faced problems. For Nerudovo Square, the original winner of the tender offered a price of 5.5 million crowns but then withdrew from the competition. The second in line acted similarly. The contract was thus awarded to the Vodohospodářské sdružení Teplice for 9.25 million crowns.
     The previous city hall leadership led by Jan Korytář (Změna pro Liberec) canceled the repair of Soukenné Square a year ago due to lack of funds. However, according to the decision of the antimonopoly office, this action was unjustified. The city had to pay a fine and court costs of 130,000 crowns and implement the project for 17.8 million this year. The Forum contributed three million crowns to the construction, which the construction firm Syner will receive in two installments this year and next year.
     The renovation of Nerudovo Square is not yet completely finished. In the future, there should also be a memorial that will commemorate the Prussian-Austrian battle near Liberec from 1757. However, it is still unknown what it will look like. "It will be in the middle of the square, and we will announce an architectural competition. We would like to have the final design next year," said the Deputy Mayor of Liberec Lukáš Martin (ČSSD). Some archaeologists would appreciate a view into the ground showcasing illuminated graves and remains of soldiers.
     The reconstruction of Nerudovo Square and the adjacent streets has been in preparation by the city hall for several years. Last year, all engineering networks were replaced in this area, and surrounding streets were repaired. The city paid 14.5 million crowns for the first phase.