Pardubice to sell former Masaryk Barracks in smaller parcels for development

The city of Pardubice is set to sell the former Masaryk Barracks site, spanning approximately 10 hectares, to multiple investors rather than a single buyer. Mayor Jan Nadrchal (ANO) explained that the size of the site has made a single-developer sale unfeasible, despite its value and potential for residential development.

“While the land is valuable, it is too large for one developer to take on. The idea of securing a single buyer willing to pay a substantial sum has proven unrealistic,” said Nadrchal.

Developers were reluctant to commit to such a large-scale project due to the long-term investment required. The development of the entire site could take a decade, coupled with the cost of redeveloping old military buildings. Additionally, the local market can only absorb about 200 apartments annually, making it impractical to construct and sell 500–600 units at once.

In contrast, the city’s 2018 sale of the smaller 2.5-hectare Tesla site resulted in a single developer building housing for approximately 750 residents, a more manageable scale.

To address these challenges, the city plans to prepare a new land use study and sell the Masaryk Barracks site in smaller sections. “The city could also retain portions of the site for parking or build municipal apartments, which are in short supply,” Nadrchal added.

The city’s plans also include constructing a primary school for 540 students on the site. This year, eight old buildings will be demolished at an estimated cost of CZK 110 million, with school construction to follow. While state subsidies for the school have not materialized, the city is considering a loan to fund the project. “This is one case where councillors agree a loan is justified,” Nadrchal stated.

Built between 1922 and 1927, the barracks served as the base for a railway regiment. The site has been abandoned since 2011, with portions used as a parking lot since 2019. Most of the land belongs to the city, except for a smaller section owned by the state, where plans for a new employment office have faced repeated delays.

The city aims to transform the barracks into a vibrant mixed-use area, balancing residential development with public infrastructure to meet local needs.

Source: CTK
Photo: ods.cz