Vsetín has announced a competition for the design of the square again

Vsetín - The city of Vsetín has announced for the second time an urban planning and architectural competition for the design of the future appearance of Freedom Square and the adjacent streets. The goal of the town hall is to mitigate and rectify the effects of insensitive pre-1989 construction on the character of the city center and to create a pleasant and functional space. The city hall spokeswoman Eva Stejskalová informed ČTK about this today.
    Vsetín first announced this competition at the beginning of this year. However, only two studios applied. The expert committee that evaluated their proposals did not select any of them as the winner. Therefore, the city now intends to repeat the whole process.
    The competition is being held similarly to the first one in accordance with the competition rules of the Czech Chamber of Architects, and the authors of the first three proposals will receive a financial reward totaling 350,000 crowns. "The aim of the competition is to find a solution that will lead to the natural revitalization of this part of the city and all its consequences," said Ludvík Grym, the chairman of the jury and a member of the Chamber of Architects, prior to the announcement of the first competition.
    The proposals must address, in addition to the overall concept and division, issues such as the placement of parking spaces, urban furniture, and public lighting, as well as proposals for modifications or additions to public greenery. The Liberation Memorial and the grave of the Unknown Soldier by Vsetín artist Rudolf Hlavica must be preserved, Stejskalová added.
    The competition is again in two stages. In the first stage, the town hall requires a simple conceptual design, which will be further elaborated in the second stage. The jury will select three to five proposals in the first stage for the second stage and invite their authors to refine them into more detailed architectural-urbanistic, artistic, and technical solutions. The authors will then defend their designs before the jury.
    The winning proposal, which will serve as a basis for the application for European subsidies for the reconstruction of the square, will be announced at the turn of November and December. "Subsequently, the public will also be informed about the proposals," added Vsetín Mayor Květoslava Othová.
    The detailed conditions of the competition are available on the website of the Czech Chamber of Architects (www.cka.cz), in the information system for public procurement (www.isvzus.cz), and on the city website (www.mestovsetin.cz)