In Hradec Králové, a parking garage for 500 cars is being built

Hradec Králové - In Hradec Králové, the long-prepared construction of a parking garage for 500 cars began on Wonková Street. The construction company BAK Trutnov took over the construction site on Monday and started preparatory work. Heavy machinery will begin excavating the soil in May, and an archaeological survey of the site is expected to start. This was reported today by Atol, the company operating the parking system in the city. The garages are expected to be completed by September next year at the latest.
    The parking garage, costing over 100 million crowns, is intended to alleviate traffic congestion, particularly in the area around Karl IV Street in the city center. Atol anticipates that approximately one-third of the spaces will be occupied by residents, with the remainder available for city visitors. The only existing parking garage in the city has been the 425-space facility at the new regional office since December.
    According to the concession agreement with the town hall, Atol is to operate the parking system for 30 years. The revenue from parking fees must be invested into parking garages. They must invest 320 million crowns and, in addition to the parking garage on Wonková Street, create another 500 spaces.
    A wave of criticism arose in the city regarding Atol's and the town hall's decision to increase parking fees by up to 400 percent starting in January. The highest discontent was triggered by the prices at the historic Great Square, where fees rose to 100 crowns per hour. In response to public protests, the town hall and Atol prepared to reduce prices at the Great Square at least on weekends.