Artist's rendering of SNP square after reconstruction in 2005.AA-Atelier Architektúry & Aprox s.r.o.
Bratislava's Slovak National Uprising square, one of the largest squares in the city centre, will have a fresh look by 2005. City officials say SNP's new face will cover a massive $100 million parking facility that will alleviate some of the capital's most pressing parking problems.
"The square, with its busy occupied streets and pathways, suffers from a lack of parking spots these days, as does the whole city," said Elena Peťková, head of the environmental office at Bratislava's Old Town City Hall. "Reconstruction of the square should solve some problems with overwhelming traffic and increasing parking requirements," Peťková added.
The underground section of the project should contain up to 800 parking spots, and will be partly equipped with automatic parking devices capable of parking vehicles without the driver's assistance. Furthermore, a two-storey business and culture complex will be constructed under the square. "There will be cafés and restaurants, small kiosks and we are thinking of a multi-purpose hall for various cultural events, including theatre and cinema," Peťková explained.
The surface of SNP square will be given an advanced system of street lighting, more green spots and water fountains.
The SNP revamping has been one and a half years in preparation, a process which should be completed in 1999. According to Peťková, construction will take from five to seven years with overall costs estimated at 3.5 billion Sk ($97 million). Peťková revealed that Bratislava city authorities would have to cooperate with foreign partners on financing the project, as the city budget alone was far too modest for such a prodigious undertaking.
