In Jablonec, the reconstruction of the Lower Square has been completed

Jablonec nad Nisou - The recently completed renovation of the Lower Square in Jablonec nad Nisou cost more than 26 million crowns, and the city began the approval process today. Office spokesperson Milena Jelínková told ČTK that the square now has 20 fewer parking spaces due to modifications, so a public lottery will be held for them.
    "There are only 16 parking spots left," she added. According to her, only people who live or run a business in the square could apply for parking cards. A total of 24 applied. Successful applicants from today’s lottery will receive a parking card for 16 months for 16,000 crowns. "It will be valid from September 1, 2006, to the end of 2007," the spokesperson clarified.
    The Lower Square is the oldest and most frequented in the city of fifty thousand. Its reconstruction, which transformed it into a quiet zone, was prepared by the city council for ten years. The European Union contributed nearly 17 million crowns to the square's reconstruction, and the state added 2.8 million crowns.
    The new dominant feature of the square, with a nine percent slope, is a simple granite fountain designed by Šárka Kuncová, a student from the Jablonec School of Applied Arts. The fountain consists of a long granite block set into the slope of the square. Its front side is about 1.3 meters high to clearly view the flowing water surface. The square is paved with granite, adorned with mature trees, benches, and new lighting.
    The renovation of the Lower Square is part of extensive modifications to the city's center. The city hall has received nearly 130 million crowns from EU programs and the state budget for repairs and renovations of buildings in the area. According to Deputy Mayor Radovan Louda, 90 million crowns had to be contributed from its own resources. As part of the center's regeneration, the Jablonec exhibition grounds have already undergone reconstruction, and work on St. Anne's Church and the surrounding streets is nearing completion. The streets U Muzea, Jiráskova, and Farského náměstí, as well as Smetanova Street and its vicinity, are also awaiting approval.

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> A fountain will be built in Jablonec based on a student design [10.12.2005]