Prague 10 has launched an architectural competition to reshape Svatopluk Čechovo náměstí in Vršovice, with plans that include a café, public toilets and major changes to traffic and public space.

The district estimates the cost at 300 million crowns, excluding VAT.

City officials say the square no longer meets the needs of residents. The goal is to make the space easier to navigate, better connected to surrounding streets and more suitable for everyday use as well as public events.

Mayor Martin Valovič of the Civic Democratic Party said the district wants the square to become a defining public space, comparable to Náměstí Míru in Prague 2 or Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad in Prague 3. According to the town hall, the area has long been neglected.

More than 650 residents submitted comments that were incorporated into the competition brief. A jury will take those views into account when assessing proposals.

Locals have pointed to deteriorating greenery, poor maintenance, damaged benches and trash bins, uneven surfaces and weak lighting. Some residents also complain that secluded areas attract groups whose presence makes others uneasy.

The area around the Church of St. Wenceslas is heavily planted. The parish has called for reducing dense vegetation after repeated incidents of vandalism and disorder.

Traffic changes form part of the plan. The district wants to introduce a maximum speed of 30 kilometers per hour and redesign the square primarily for pedestrians and cyclists. There are currently 210 parking spaces in the area, and the competition brief recommends preserving at least 85 percent of them.

Architects interested in taking part can register until May 11. Proposals will be evaluated by a panel that includes city representatives and several architects.

Čechovo náměstí lies between Moskevská and Slovenská streets and centers on the Church of St. Wenceslas.

The church was built between 1929 and 1930 on the site of a former cemetery, based on a design by architect Josef Gočár. It is regarded as one of the country’s key examples of functionalist architecture.

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