That is really very good to hear people speak about the restored pedestrian zone (they complain that the pavement is too light and every spot is visible, that the time axis is being destroyed by rust, that the artefact - Gate of Time - is shocking, but some people also say that they like the new pedestrian zone very much). I would be astonishing if such an extensive change would be without any reaction. These words were said by the mayor, Jan Svoboda at the final press conference, and all other speakers were of the same opinion.

Reconstruction of Cheb pedestrian zone is finished. The builders gave over the last, third stage of the reconstruction involving construction of new pavements and carriageway in part of Májová Street.

The last stage of the pedestrian zone reconstruction is coming to its end and just small rests and overtaking by particular administrators are planned. After laying asphalt layers traffic returned to Májová Street, in the area of Terea company three ornamental pear trees were planted and also the pavements are finished.

In the frames of Májová Street reconstruction installation of granite kerbs is finishing on the left side of the construction, and paving the sidewalk is in its final stage as well. Then setting traffic signs will follow and in front of the block of houses below Terea company three trees are going to be planted.

The reconstructed pedestrian zone attracts both tourists and local people mostly at the weekends. For example, front yards at restaurants and cafés were crowded last Saturday. Continuing work in near Májová Street is going to demand complete closure of this street in the days of 8 to 14 October.

The new pedestrian zone authors from A69 atchitect studio are preparing a street party for Friday, 3 September, to which they invite both Cheb citizens and colleagues and other professional public (special bus will be sent from Prague), for all suppliers, media representatives etc. This street party has to involve musicians, bars and restaurants, they are going to play with lights, LED panels, documents from the pedestrian zone history will be displayed, living statues are going to be questionned etc.
Street party is going to take place on 3 September from 7 p.m. to 12 p.m., so that the closing will happen together with closing the Gate of Time. This event is supported by the town of Cheb, Invita company belongs to the partners.

Májová Street reconstruction continues according to the plans. Recent heavy rains did not endanger the termination date which is the end of October. "In case it rained in the previous part of road reconstruction, there surely would be some delay. Fortunately, it did not," Monika Štádlerová, construction site manager said.

The pedestrian zone has been used already for more than a month while the closing stage of the reconstruction enclosing Májová Street is high. The main object of interest and discussions of both inhabitants and tourists is the Gate of Time, as expected.

In Májová Street, from the crossroad with Dukelská Street as far as to the crossroad with Valdštejnova Street demolition work is continuing. The builders also uncovered pavement around customs authority where about 40 cm thick layer of concrete surprised them.

Immediately after finishing the main reconstruction part including the section from former Bata store to King George Square, the third and last stage started. The builders moved from the already finished boulevard to Májová Street which is going to be renewed from the crossroad with Dukelská Street (at the bus stop) as far as to the crossroad with Valdštejnova Street (near Svět cinema).

The new Cheb´s  boulevard is ready and will be passed over on Monday, 28 June. Immediately after that, in early July, the third and last stage involving the neighbouring parts of Májová Street is going to start.
"Besides finishing cutting the pavement also facades were renewed and lamps and flush mounted lights were plugged in," the construction site manager Monika Štádlerová said adding that among others the Atlas sculpture at former Čedok and Gate of Time are illuminated from below.

There are 10 more days left to finish the second stage of the pedestrian zone. After public lights which will be decorated with flags on such occasions as Wallenstein festivities the workers are going to install the mobiliary.

Pedestrian zone reconstruction continues with laying the pavement which is light colour like the one in the first sector. According to the architects, the pavement will receive interesting patina as it will grow older. The general impression can be disturbed by dirty spots caused by stock cars and other reasons.

Reconstruction work at Cheb boulevard is continuing by laying large scale pavement. This will point out the area in front of Prior department store, where a small square will be created.
Its face will remind the other small square created in front of Savings Bank in the frames of stage I. Benches, billboard posts, drinking point and some parts of mobiliary will be installed there as well. The setting is considered to start about 15 June.

After the part of the pedestrian zone finished last year, also the now reconstructed part was decorated by trees imported from Belgium. All eleven ornamental pear trees and six platanes are in their localities now. The pear trees will bloom in white blossom and later have small brown fruits, the platanes will have coloured spotted trunks.

Work prepared and focused by the builders and suppliers for the next days and weeks signalizes that the term of finishing stage II of the pedestrian zone is approaching to its end. On the left side of the construction site (direction from Intersport shop), for example, pavement will be laid and the area in front of PRIOR department store will become green.

People can newly read about the pedestrian zone even on Facebook where they also can write their opinion in the discussion. Link label can be found on www.pesizona.eu below the questionnaire.

As soon as the building activity returned to the pedestrian zone, winter showed its rule again. Further portions of snow and sub zero temperatures did not influence the work progress, as Miroslav Hájek, construction manager representative said. The builders are in advance enough.

The advised shortened term of the pedestrian zone reconstruction is confirmed. Vice-chairman, doc. Miroslav Plevný informed about this and added that the Regional Solidarity Council Northwest - leading authority of the project (realized with EU promotion) showed positive attitude to shortening the term of the last, third stage which the town applied for. All kinds of work on the reconstruction are supposed to be finished until 30 October 2010.

Rust has to be removed from the time axis in the pedestrian zone. Although the author of its artistic interpretation, Marian Karel, has certain notion of used material transformation due to climatic conditions, he admits that the rust should not spread onto the pavement or even damage it. At the meeting of town representatives with the designers from Atelier 69 - Architects and sculptor Marian Karel (author of the Gate of Time which should be installed at the division line of the pedestrian zone and the square in June at the latest) was agreed that both the time axis and the artefact will be covered with protective paint. It will not influence their patina but will just prevent further spreading the rust.

Wednesday, 3 March. This is the term when builders are expected to return with their machinery to the building site. "According to the weather forecast there should not be any long frost. It was not possible to start building earlier", supervisor´s representative Miroslav Hájek informed.
However, the planned Christmas break which became 2 months longer because of unfavourable weather did not endanger the deadline of the pedestrian zone second stage completing. The work is quite in advance.

Construction activity is not going to come back to the pedestrian zone. The term of starting work after the planned Christmas break was even not announced on the inspectional day on Thursday, 4th February.
"Henceforward the work cannot be started because of climatic conditions," Miroslav Hájek, site manager´s representative said. However, the passivity brings no complications up to now. "The second stage termination date determined to 30th June this year is not endangered," Karel Farář, leader of investment department of the local authority said.
The next inspectional day is held on Thursday, 11th February.

It is not usual for women to lead a construction. Cheb pedestrian zone reconstruction was entrusted to Monika Štádlerová who the previous four years worked as supervisor at the road by-pass in Aš and at Goethova Street reconstruction in Cheb. "I am not such a rarity, I have heard about several colleagues - women", a woman says, who manages up to forty builders in this present project. "We do not have any communication problems", she claims. The pedestrian zone reconstruction is being done in full operation. How is it, to work and be watched by so many people?

Beginning of the work after its Christmas break was postponed due to bad weather. However, the schedule is not threatened.
The builders are ready but the really snowy winter weather does not allow them to come back to the building site. "If they came back to work now, there would be more damage than use," Miroslav Hájek, acting site manager noticed.
The schedule is not affected because the builders are in advance. Laying the pavement along the whole right side from Terea site as far as to the King George Square was finished before Christmas but the original plans supposed it to be laid next to Deja Vu restaurant.

„Oh my Špalíček, you have framed walls and I have pleasant recalls... to Annie."  This record in Jára Cimrman´s traveller´s diary is, according to Zdeňek Svěrák and Ladislav Smoljak from Jára Cimrman´s Žižkovské Theatre a conclusive evidence that this genius had visited Cheb, too. He stayed here overnight on his way from curative stay in Karlovy Vary to Stuttgart to see the earl Zeppelin and was enchanted by barmaid called Anna.

The second stage of the pedestrian zone reconstruction is proceeding faster than originally planned terms expected, so the Christmas break cannot endanger the schedule. The construction activity will be interrupted on Friday, December 18. „The break is planned in order to ensure quiet for surrounding houses´ inhabitants during Christmas time and also the builders can have some days off which they surely need. Besides this, we can afford it," Monika Štádlerová, the construction supervisor explained.

Businessmen from Svobody Street and  owners or tenants of commercial establishments are going to receive a small present from the town hall - a wall calendar of Cheb 2010 (firm, one sheet), sized 100 x 70 cm with air view of Cheb taken this summer.

According to the plan, besides graphic motives even texts appear on the light panels in the frames of the finished section of the pedestrian zone. Among others they inform about Christmas markets on King George Square.
„December is special because of Christmas and New Year´s Eve and special animation are being prepared for these occasions. A system operating throughout the year with seasonal changes will be installed later," Zbyněk Krulich, student of architecture and design said, a person who was invited by the pedestrian zone designer, A69 - Architects to cooperate in panels programming.

The nearest goal? Paving the whole right side of the construction site until the end of the year.
Work on the second stage of the pedestrian zone reconstruction is proceeding relatively fast and that is the reason why the builders will try to finish paving the right side by request of the town authority, which means the section from Terea to King George Square. The original plans considered paving from Terea to Dejavu restaurant near Prior.

Greenery plays a very important role in the pedestrian zone project. It will decorate the finished part in the section from Baťa store to Májová Street even before the winter season starts. Five platanes and six decorative pear trees imported from Belgium have to be planted in the period from November 16th  to 25th.

The builders are preparing approximately one quarter of the building site to be paved on the right side seen from Májová Street. In fact it is the section from Terea to the restaurant Dejavu near Prior, where all construction layers and cables were laid and planting baskets were set. The work continues by setting drainage canal and curbs, and installation of roof cleaners and English yards covers will be done as well.

While the second stage (in the section from the crossroad of Svobody and Májová Street) is being worked on, the first stage finished in August is expecting planting the trees - five platanes and six decorative pear trees.
 „As recommended by specialists the planting will be carried out in the period after leaves falling, probably in the days from 16th to 25th November," vice mayor Miroslav Plevný says. „They are from Belgium and will be transported to Cheb in early November".
The chosen platane variety has wide-branched top, is cold-resisting, endures polluted milieu (dust, smoke) and pruning, fits well in municipal plantings. The bark on older trees is mostly composed of several layers in various colours and peels off gradually, which makes typical look of the trunk.
The chosen decorative pear trees on the contrary are typical for their cone-shaped tops. White blossom (appearing in April) is replaced - usually until October - by small brownish fruits. Green leaves are more distinct in autumn - from yellow over orange and red to brown.

Mgr. Martina Kuželová
press secretary

The second stage of the pedestrian zone reconstruction is in the same way as the first one realised so that always one side of the street is through. Due to worse weather the work continues in smaller sections. On the right side  (seen from Májová Street) laying rain drainage and setting planting baskets continues. Approximately in one third of the construction site all construction layers are finished, cables for public lighting, Internet and electric cables are layed. Construction layers and planting baskets assembling also on the left side is being done, which is necessary for laying pavement on the right side.

SVOBODY STREET - PEDESTRIAN ZONE CHEB


adress:   Třída Svobody, Cheb
investor:   Town of Cheb
author:    A69 - architects
cooperation:   Ing.arch. Lenka Mašková, Ing. Pavel Jahelka
designer:  PONTEX s.r.o.
lighting:   ELVOST s.r.o.
fire protection:   Ing. Petr Boháč
general supplier:  ALGON, a.s.
town mobiliar supplier: MM Cité
LED lamps supplier:  Ledfield
LED lamps programmer: Zbyněk Krulich
Historiogram font and graphic solution: Dita Krouželová

CHEB (September 29, 2009)- Stage I of the new pedestrian zone construction in Cheb between the streets Evropská and Májová was accepted on September 9, 2009. Work on stage II between Májová Street and King George Square has started at the same time. The builders were ready to start earlier but on demand from the town hall they took into consideration the culminating high touristic season.
The action is planned to be carried out in three stages. First period started in January 2008 with preparation work. Stage II will end in June 2010, stage III will last from July 2010 to July 2011. The town achieved to obtain a record grant from the Regional Operation Programme for this generously concepted pedestrian zone reconstruction. Total costs should be higher than 137.2 Mio CZK, but the town only pays 14.8 Mio from own budget, vice-mayor Miroslav Plevný said. The construction budget was actualized in August according to selection procedures results and a contract appendix including lower costs was signed.

The three spring seesaws installed in the first part of the pedestrian zone in front of Savings Bank (other should appear in front of the new small square in front of PRIOR department store) are not flourishing in Cheb so far. They had to be claimed shortly after their installation in August because of insufficiently strong  screws when used by heavier kids (and probably not only kids)......  All of them had been claimed, two orange ones and a blue one (which was not actually ouot of order) and repaired and later they were returned to their standpoint. And now the blue seesaw has disappeared! Fortunately it has not been stolen, just returned back to the producer to be repaired again.

Mgr. Martina Kuželová, Cheb Municipality Office spokeswoman

Sculptor Marian Karel is coming to the press conference on stage II starting. This conference is planned for September 29 and among others, Mr. Marian Karel will appear there. To make an idea of him, here comes some information.

Some changes have been done in the pedestrian zone reconstruction project financing, where instead of originally planned 141 mio CZK 132.2 mio are newly considered."The town hall, as high benefit recipient updated the construction budget for the years 2009 - 2011 according to given rules,  regarding the results of the selection procedure and approved changes at project realization," vice mayor Ing. Michal Pospíšil informed. "Based on this updating it was necessary to conclude a subcontract regarding lower costs with the grantor, Regional Coherence Council Northwest".Grant from Regional Operation Programme  Northwest will, according to newly agreed conditions make 122.4 mio CZK (of which EU grant is 112.5 mio CZK and contribution from public sources 9.9 mio). Total amount of 14.8 mio CZK will be paid from the town cash for all three stages. 

Mgr. Martina Kuželová, Cheb Municipality Office spokeswoman

Work on stage II was initiated exactly according the schedule. Concretely rain drainage started to be built, drainage of the base course with drainage piping is made and English yards are given their fundaments. Ground masonry is being modified. Public lighting will be worked on next week - earthwork for cables laying.

The reconstructed part of the pedestrian zone was succesfully approved (experimental operation is set since 1 September) but first necessary safety measures came soon. All three spring seesaws had to be removed from the area in front of Savings Bank because they probably were used not only by children....According to information by the Department of Investitions the seesaws were claimed. In the future they will be anchored so that the screws can resist even higher weight. They will return to the area in one week.

Mgr. Martina Kuželová, mluvčí Městského úřadu Cheb

LED effects world first release in our pedestrian zone!

Citizens of Cheb and visitors are the witnesses of LED band effect light operation  as Czech first release and first in the world to use in public area! There are 14 four meter high panels situated in the direction towards Evropská Street being not only lamps in the new part of Svobody Street besides three large public lights. They offer media art  products in the vertical bands vith various scenes (fish, bubbles, sparkles etc) to please the passants, as well as abstractions, some ways of town advertising text discovering, light object motion through the street etc.

Today, according to the plan the period I work is finishing in the pedestrian zone in the section from former Bata store to Savings Bank (hoardings and tourist indicators are installed, everything is being checked) so  that from tomorrow test operation can be set and period II of the pedestrian zone reconstruction can start in the section from Savings Bank to the square. Vice-mayor docent Miroslav Plevný has informed about this.

Work on period I is finishing. To specify, pavement is laid and mobiliar is being set on it. Interlocking pavement is completely finished on both sides. Public lighting also gets its final appearance by setting LED monitors. Pointing densifying and scraping the pavement is being focused on now.

Time axis leads from the end near former Bata shop (2011: 950 years passed since the first written mention about Cheb), so far until the year 1830

Construction work of the period I. Is finishing. In the whole section from former Bata shop to Savings Bank drainage cover showing the most important historical dates of the town was laid this week, traffic lights returned to the crossing in Májová Street, also  laying pavement is coming to its end.

The town authority has decided that in connection with the pedestrian zone reconstruction and its following new appearance it will be no more possible to to use A-frame supports for advertising (in the part from Evropska Street as far as to King  George Square including neighbouring sections of the pedestrian zone).

In connection with the pedestrian zone reconstruction traffic will be closed in Majova Street in the intersection with Svobody Street  because of cross drift for laying cables on Saturday 8.8. from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Alternate road wil be led through streets  Valdštejnova, Evropska and Svatopluka Čecha and demarcated with traffic signs.
Temporary translocation of bus stops will be done during  the traffic closure from Majova Street to Svatopluka Čecha Street for following local transport lines: 416001, 416004, 416006 (bus No. 1, 2 and 6).

Mgr. Martina Kuželová, mluvčí Městského úřadu Cheb

In addition to small size paving a kind of large size paving started to be laid, which will be a part of a small "square" in the neighbourhood of the crossroad of the pedestrian zone and Majova Street (the next one will be near to the department store Prior). A steel plate separating these two types of paving was set. Ground lighting spots were installed near the planting baskets which will lighten the trees in the evenings. Electric wires extension was finished and soon an electric pillar will be laid as a power pannel for public lighting, traffic lights etc. Work on eco-drainage will be finished next week and setting curbs at the pedestrian crossing (border of Majova and Svobody Street) will start.

Electric wires are prolonged in connection with public lighting. Well visible part of the construction si the pavement which is continuously worked on. Setting lamps and mobiliary is planned to be done in August.

Setting the planting baskets in total amount 5 pieces in the lower part of the pedestrian zone (from the former Bata store to Czech Savings bank) was finished last week. Water measuring shaft covered by paved cover will be used for water control by Chevak and it is already being built together with drainage. Surely pleasant news is, that paving the pedestrian zone is being done. Foundaments for the mobiliary (benches, litter bins, billboards etc.) are finished.

Laying the drainage channel in the reconstructed part of pedestrian zone has started. It will bear artistically designed cover by the same author who won the competition for artefact production in the frames of pedestrian zone reconstruction, carying time axis representing significant historical dates connected with the town of Cheb. The installation will start next to former Bata shop since its end (2011: 950 years passed since the first written mention about Cheb - which is the year when the third, final reconstruction period will be finished) and it will end at the top of the square where the pedestrian zone ends. Which dates - in Czech, German and English will it bear?

The work now is predominantly concentrated on the pavement opposite Česká spořitelna (Savings Bank). Public lighting in this part is finished in one half and alterations on particular construction layers of this pavement are being finished, too. The planting baskets are set with exception of the last three which will appear in their place soon. During the next weeks the construction will be focusing on drainage channel. The channel will pass through the middle of the pedestrian zone in order to catch the water from the whole surrounding paving. The cover of the channel (metal belt) will turn into time axis with significant historical dates related to the town of Cheb. The installation will start from the end (2011: 950 year passed from the first written mention of Cheb) - in the level of former Bata store. In that year the last, third period of reconstruction will be completed.

In the last 14 days the pavement on the side where Česká spořitelna branch is situated was made passageable. Work on this pavement was finished in all subbase layers. Conductors were restored, which was not considered to be done in such a large scale. On the second pavement ground work has started. Currently the construction is focusing on planting baskets. Protective clingfilm was put into the baskets (in order to avoid growing the roots through the baskets´ walls) and soil is put into them, where later trees will be planted. Work on public lighting was launched simultaneously with planting the baskets.

In the frames of the first working stage coating the facades of houses with nep sheet was realized to avoid penetration of moisture. Granite curbs in the crossroad of Evropská and Svobody streets were laid. At present plain setting (the deepest construction layer) is being ensured as well as  work connected with cable laying for street lighting and the Internet. There is extra trench for each cabling but finally they lead into common space. After Easter base for furnishing will be created in which benches, litter bins and hoardings are included. Rest of the former road surface will be removed.

The first period construction work is in the first thirdth of its volume. Storm sewer and English courts are being prepared, setting the 21 planting baskets started, which will be situated below the pavement surface. Each is 5 m long, 2 m wide and 1,6 m deep and will avoid growing the roots through the newly built pavement. Street lighting is in preparation and flexes for the Internet are being laid.

Quality flat paving from natural stone instead of present crumbling asphalt surface, stylish benches and street lighting or the new artwork. This is how the Cheb pedestrian zone will look like in two years.

The town managed to gain a record grant from the Regional Operation Programme in the amount of 127 million of which 116,7 European Union contributes and 10,3 comes from the state.