Ostrava bankrolls centrepiece for city of culture bid

The city of Ostrava has earmarked 2.0 billion crowns for investment in its flagship project to be selected as one of the European capitals of culture in 2015. City leaders agreed to set aside the investment for plans to transform the Červená Louka area of the city through construction of a concert hall, art gallery, music pavilion and new flats. The city estimates total costs linked to the capital of culture plans at around 3.75 billion crowns. Ostrava is competing with the west Bohemian city of Pilsen to be selected for the designation.