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Ambitious plans were revealed this week for a multi-million zloty investment project in the crumbling cellars beneath Cracow's Market Square. The Likus brothers, creators of both the lavish shopping mall at Rynek 13 and luxury hotels such as the Copernicus and Pod Roza, have put forward a plan to renovate 4000 square metres of cellars beneath Cracow's Main Square. The space would be transformed into a subterranean shopping mall.
The Likus clan has offered to renovate the site at their own cost provided that the city rents the space for a substantial period of time. The brothers added that ten to twenty years would not be enough to balance out the costs of investment.
The brothers were in talks with President Majchrowski this week and an open auction for the space will follow next month. The Likus crew maintain that Cracovians will be able to shop beneath the Market Square in 2007 if their plans are put into action.
It goes without saying that a plethora of archaeological treasures will be unearthed beneath the Market Square during renovation. What's more, it has been noticeable in recent times that several investors have dodged mandatory archaeological research in the hope of speeding up construction.
In this respect the Likus brothers appear to be in the clear. Recent restoration projects have displayed a high level of integrity with regards to historic relics. And in this particular instance they have pledged to display all their finds though specially designed glass installations. As of yet no other investors have stepped forward with a plan, but the auction is open to all comers.
| Source: NH | Feb.8.2005 |
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