The representatives of Brno approved the payment of a fine from the army

Brno - Brno will pay a ten million fine to the army for the former military complex near Náměstí Míru. The payment of the penalty was approved by the representatives today. The decision followed about a four-hour discussion. The Civic Democrats opposed the payment; however, it was pushed through by a coalition comprising the ČSSD, KDU-ČSL, Green Party, and the Brno 2006 movement.
    The representatives also approved that the ten million crowns will be taken from the funds designated for the municipal district of Brno-střed. The city council had previously identified it as the author of the problem. The army imposed the fine for the area near Náměstí Míru, which the Ministry of Defense transferred to Brno free of charge under the condition of non-commercial use. However, the municipal district later entered into contracts with an investor that envisage the construction of a building with about 80 apartments and shops. The army does not consider such use as non-commercial.
    The representatives debated the payment for a long time today. The Civic Democrats argued that Brno is not a debtor; the army allegedly acted unusually in determining the penalty, among other reasons, because the building construction so far does not have a positive zoning decision, a building permit, nor has construction begun. On the other hand, coalition politicians advocated for the payment of the fine so that the mayor could sign documents certifying the lack of debt. These are needed, for example, when the city wants to draw European or state subsidies. The city is currently concerned about a subsidy of 239 million crowns; in the coming months, this amount will increase by another approximately 600 million crowns, said deputy mayor Martin Ander at the meeting. The fine was due on May 11, and since then, almost a three-thousand crown penalty accumulates daily.
    The city has long sought the former military complex near Náměstí Míru. Various plans for its use were also created; some locals wanted clubhouses and a community hall, while others desired medical offices or shops. However, the project to build the Wilson complex, which the municipal district agreed upon with the developer, soon provoked dissent from some local residents. They criticized that the building would bring traffic into the quiet neighborhood and destroy the panorama of Náměstí Míru, which is currently dominated by the church. Citizens also claim that the investor acquired the land in a non-transparent manner. The police are now interested in the contracts.