State announced the sixth auction of the Hanácké barracks in Olomouc, reduced the price

The Office for State Representation in Property Matters (ÚZSVM) has announced the sixth electronic auction for the sale of the large Hanácké barracks in the centre of Olomouc. In the new round of the auction, which is scheduled for 21 and 22 May, the minimum price has been reduced from CZK 248 million to CZK 199 million, said Michaela Tesařová, spokeswoman for the ÚZSVM. In the previous five electronic auctions, the state failed to find a buyer for the barracks.

"In order for the auction to be successful and bring a winner, there must be at least one bid, at least the minimum announced price, i.e. CZK 199 million. Other bids must increase the amount by at least CZK 100,000," Tesarová said. The minimum price of the complex is gradually decreasing. In the penultimate round of the auction, it was reduced from CZK 262 million to CZK 249 million in 2022, and in April this year, during the state's last attempt to sell the property so far, it was CZK 248 million.

Some time ago, the Olomouc Region together with the Olomouc City Hall and Palacký University expressed interest in the property. However, experts pointed out the poor technical condition of the Haná Barracks and the high reconstruction costs. Therefore, in January, the Regional Council cancelled its previous resolution, which opened the way for the municipalities and the university to acquire the Haná barracks free of charge.

The Olomouc Region wanted to use the Hanácké Barracks building mainly for science, culture and education, especially through the Museum of Homeland History in Olomouc or the Archaeological Centre Olomouc. A creative centre, a social counselling centre, a material and food aid centre, a branch of the Family Point and a regional volunteer centre were also to be established in the premises. The town hall wanted to move some of its departments that do not have a high attendance to the Hanácké barracks building.

Hanácké Barracks has been used by the army for 170 years and has been empty since 2013. The building has an office area of over 2,000 square metres. Originally, it was considered to house hundreds of employees of state agencies, which are now located in several places in Olomouc. However, according to the Ministry of Defence, further use for civil servants would be more expensive than the sale and eventual construction of a new administrative headquarters.

The Olomouc Region expressed interest in the Hanácké Barracks building in 2014, wanting to house a museum and library or offices. At that time, the Hejtmanství eventually abandoned the plan. The renovation of the listed building will be expensive. According to an estimate from 2020, it would cost around CZK 815 million, and the prices of construction work and materials have risen significantly since then.

Source: CTK
Photo: Jiří Komárek