The demolition of Slezanka in Opava has been postponed again due to the appeal of a co-owner

Opava - The demolition of part of the panel shopping center Slezanka in the historic center of Opava, which has been postponed several times, is once again delayed. This time, the reason is complications in the demolition proceedings. A co-owner of the neighboring property has appealed against the currently non-final decision on the demolition. Vladimír Schreier (ANO), the deputy mayor of Opava, told ČTK today. Instead of the dilapidated and unused building, residential buildings are to be constructed.

"It's just a technical matter. It's not that the city hall has backed down from the intention to demolish Slezanka," the deputy stated. He added that the city wants to wait until it has a final demolition order. Therefore, it will cancel the tender for the company that will carry out the demolition and later announce a new one. "We will announce it at a time when we are sure that the work will be feasible," said Schreier.

He added that the entity that appealed against the demolition decision is a co-owner of the neighboring property alongside the city. This property is structurally connected to the building awaiting demolition. "We are currently negotiating with this owner regarding the sale of their share," the deputy stated.

In 2008, Opava purchased a large part of the building for 270 million crowns. Since then, it has been trying to buy out the shares of other owners as well. The demolition of the reclaimed part was approved by the councilors in 2021. The demolition was to begin a year later. However, the work had to be halted. The heritage authorities declared the neighboring Theatre Club a historical monument and demanded its preservation. The original plans were to preserve only part of the club's building and incorporate it into the project.

On the site of the building intended for demolition, the city plans to restore the historical front of Horní náměstí, composed of at least six residential buildings that will connect to the historical development of the center of Opava. Private investors will build the residential buildings. Additional residential buildings with commercial spaces will be created on the area behind Slezanka and will form a partially restored historical street network. There will also be a multifunctional cultural hall and an underground parking lot with parking spaces for 170 cars.

The Slezanka shopping center is a panel building constructed on the site where brewing houses stood in the 17th century. The block has a housing estate appearance, connects to the historical development of the center, and adjoins a Gothic cathedral. The building has been a long-term problem for the city hall. The previous city leadership purchased the property in the central Horní náměstí in 2008 from a private owner. At that time, city representatives expressed their willingness to invest in the repair of the building or its demolition and the construction of a new shopping center.

The shopping center was then almost empty for a long time, and it was not until 2012 that a tenant was found for its operation. However, it was challenging to lease the spaces long-term. Ultimately, the city opted for a sale to a development company. A new shopping center was to be established here. The contract for its construction was signed by the previous city leadership with the developer in 2015. However, preparations dragged on, and eventually, opinions prevailed that a shopping center should not be built.

The change was influenced by the construction of the nearby Breda & Weinstein shopping center. On an area of over 25,000 square meters, it offers spaces for more than 100 shops, a multiplex cinema with six halls, restaurants, and a café. By agreement, the developer backed away from the plan. Since then, the city hall has been addressing what to do with Slezanka next.