The city of Hradec Králové has received three bids for the planned construction of a new public square in the area between the Gayer and Vrbenský barracks, located near the city center. The deadline for submissions closed on the morning of July 22, and the evaluation committee will now begin reviewing the proposals, according to city spokesperson Kateřina Rohlíčková. “The selection committee will assess the bids and recommend a contractor to city authorities. The decision will first be reviewed by the city council before being put to a vote by the city assembly,” Rohlíčková said. The bidders’ names have not been made public. The tender, valued at approximately CZK 131 million excluding VAT, had its submission deadline extended multiple times. These extensions were granted following requests from bidders for clarifications and adjustments to the contract terms. The square project is intended to complement the ongoing reconstruction of the Vrbenský barracks, which is being led by the Hradec Králové Region. The city is also seeking to secure European funding to partially finance the square’s construction. The planned works include repaving, upgrading utility infrastructure, planting greenery, and installing new public furniture. Currently used as a parking area, the space between the historic barracks buildings is set to become a key pedestrian route connecting the district to the historic city center. Both the Gayer and Vrbenský barracks date back to the 19th century and are similarly sized, positioned in a symmetrical layout. The Gayer barracks were renovated by the region in 2021 for CZK 310 million and now house a branch of the Museum of Eastern Bohemia. Reconstruction of the Vrbenský barracks began last year, with the aim of converting the site into a museum facility. That project, estimated at CZK 565 million, is expected to reach structural completion by autumn. The full redevelopment of the barracks complex, including the new square, is scheduled for completion by 2027, with total costs projected at around CZK 1 billion. Source: Hradec Králové Regional Council and CTK Photo: hradeckralove.cz