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Augsburger Hof in Landsberg: refugee accommodation or hotel?
Discussions about the future of the Augsburger Hof in Landsberg: Hotel operation or accommodation for unaccompanied minor refugees?
Augsburger Hof in Landsberg: refugee accommodation or hotel?
The Augsburger Hof in Landsberg, a traditional hotel, is the focus of a heated competition between the city and the district. While the hotel has been offering accommodation to guests of the neighboring city theater for 14 years, the district is now showing interest in the building to accommodate unaccompanied minor refugees (UMA). “I can’t get out of this number now,” smiles operator Michael Buchheim. The situation is getting worse and Buchheim has the feeling that his end as a hotelier is quickly approaching.
Urgent need for accommodation for refugees
The district is urgently looking for places to sleep for the currently 52 unaccompanied minor asylum seekers. “Almost half of these young people have not found a place in the district,” reports district office spokesman Wolfgang Müller. The Augsburger Hof offers space for up to 24 people with two living groups and could therefore be the urgently needed solution. A youth welfare facility would also be conceivable, and the costs would probably be covered by the district government. But changing the use could be difficult: approval from the city is essential, where there is also a right of first refusal.
Buchheim is aware of the need, but also emphasizes the importance of his hotel for the city theater and culture in Landsberg. “It works well with the young people, but my heart still beats for the hotel,” he admits. Theater director Florian Werner sounds the alarm: “If the hotel goes away, it will be difficult for us to receive large ensembles.” With a request, the SPD/FDP city council group is now planning to use the city's right of first refusal to secure the Augsburger Hof.
Political pressure and possible solutions
The SPD/FDP parliamentary group has expressed great interest in using the property for urban construction projects and wants to conclude a lease agreement with an established company in order to maintain hotel operations. “The goal is to unite both interests,” explains 3rd Mayor Felix Bredschneijder. The group emphasizes that they do not want to build a front against the district. Another empty house on Holzmarkt could also be considered as a possible solution for accommodating refugees.