Chialo fights for ZLB location: Does the library come to the Lafayette?

Chialo fights for ZLB location: Does the library come to the Lafayette?

The discussion about the possible move of the Central and State Library (ZLB) to the former Lafayette building on Friedrichstrasse remains highly explosive in Berlin. Culture senator Joe Chialo (CDU) records on the plan despite great financial uncertainties and continues to see opportunities for realization. "I am not the one who will carry this wonderful idea to grave," Chialo told the German Press Agency. The discussions with Berliner Immobilienmanagement GmbH and the owner Tishman Speyer would continue, which gives him hope that a solution can be found. Berlin urgently has to save, at the same time the urgently needed new location for the ZLB is a central topic, especially since the library is currently distributed to two locations.

financial concerns of the city

However, the financial policy hurdles cannot be ignored. Financial Senator Stefan Evers (CDU) was skeptical and sees hardly any opportunities for the move for cost reasons. "There is no estimation for a corresponding measure for 2025," Evers made it clear. The financial resources for the coming years would have to be consolidated, which means that the chances of realizing the move in the next few years will be low. He emphasized that although there is interest in the ZLB in the heart of the city, the financial framework conditions make it difficult to pursue the project. Another aspect that Evers emphasizes is the currently high financial burden of the country, which hinders an urgently needed modernization of the library.

In addition, the Galeria department store on Alexanderplatz is discussed as a possible alternative location, where the focus is initially on the rescue of jobs. Chialo made it clear that the priority is currently being supported to support existing locations. In the current debate about the move, the purchase of the Lafayette building with an estimate of around 589 million euros remains another elementary topic for future urban development, which must continue to be negotiated. It remains to be seen whether the passionate efforts of the cultural senator will ultimately be successful, while in the city a creative handling of the limited resources is required.

For more information on this topic, see the reports of n-tv and rbb24