Zlínský kraj, a region in the Czech Republic, has resolved a contentious land dispute with Unimex Group concerning property in Zlíně-Malenovicích. As part of the agreement, the region will retain ownership of the land, which it had purchased from Unimex Group in May 2020. Importantly, the region is no longer obligated to use the land exclusively for the construction of a new hospital, as previously stipulated.

Under the terms of the settlement, Zlínský kraj will make a payment of CZK 10 million to Unimex Group. Of the 41 representatives who participated in the decision-making process, 27 voted in favor of the settlement.

Radim Holiš, the head of the region, lauded the agreement, describing the CZK 10 million payment to Unimex as a highly advantageous resolution for the region. He emphasized that this settlement represents an investment in the region’s assets, which are expected to appreciate over time.

Initially, the region had plans to construct a new hospital on the acquired land, which had been purchased from Unimex Group for CZK 1.55 million. However, the leadership of the region changed, leading to a delay in the hospital project. Two years ago, regional representatives approved an extension of the hospital’s investment plan, stretching it until 2040.

In a recent interview, Holiš expressed optimism regarding the way forward for the designated area. He stated, “I expect that we will agree soon, by the end of the year, on how we will proceed in the zone.”

The dispute over the land arose from a prior agreement made by the former leadership of the region, under Jiří Čunka of KDU-ČSL, to construct a new hospital on the site. Unimex Group had previously insisted that the land should be utilized exclusively for this purpose.

The alterations in the region’s leadership and the subsequent delay in the hospital project underscore the challenges faced by regional authorities in financing and managing large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in the healthcare sector. Balancing the need for critical healthcare infrastructure with budgetary constraints and evolving leadership priorities can present complex challenges for regional decision-makers.

Article by Prague Forum