The Slezanka shopping center was built on the Horní náměstí in Opava at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s in the Brussels style, inspired by the successful participation of Czechoslovakia in the World Exhibition in Brussels, and presents architectural and modern art scenes. Blocks of modest shops and restaurants fill the gaps left by war-torn homes. Now this building in the center of the city is almost empty and unused.

Tomáš Navrátil (ANO), mayor of Opava: “Nothing has happened here for years. The building collapsed. It's a shame for Opava.”

How to deal with this object – this has been discussed since 2008, when the city of Opava, led by the then Mayor of Stanjura, bought the building for 270 million crowns. That means, only part of it. Over four election periods, each city's leaders have thought about what to do next. The initial idea of ​​building a shopping center here, over time lost its appeal.

Marek Veselý (ODS), Opava City Council member since 1998: “The project failed and then another investor built another department store, and since then this area behind Slezanka has been forced to wait.”

Two architectural studies were also compiled. And to the question: What did the people of Opava also answer in the public opinion poll?

A significant shift has only occurred now. The city is trying to buy additional shares from private owners to make the building its 100% property. Then came the demolition.

Tomáš Navrátil (ANO), mayor of Opava: “When we're dealing with costs, e.g. to renovate this building vs. to build something new, so the new building costs less.”

6 apartment buildings with historic facades and underground parking should be built on this site.

Opava residents: “However, something must be done about it. It's been rotting there for a long time.'

Meanwhile, at the back, on the site of the former Theater Club building, a multifunctional hall will be built. Although the construction was financed by the city government, the apartment building, which refers to the original construction of the 17th century, would later be built by private individuals.

Although it seems that the ice has moved and the center of Opava will change after 50 years, this will not happen so quickly. The changes will begin as early as next year.