Cologne's mega project: refugee accommodation for 110 million euros!

Cologne's mega project: refugee accommodation for 110 million euros!

Riehler Straße, Köln, Deutschland - Cologne faces a costly project: A new refugee accommodation is to be created for a whopping 110 million euros in the popular Agnesviertel! The former chief finance directorate on Ebertplatz is converted into an initial reception facility. Up to 500 refugees should be able to stay here in the future. This has revealed an internal paper from the Cologne district government, such as T-Online reported .

The renovation and ten -year operation of this monster alone cost 110 million euros, and the city of Cologne is said to be not involved in the expenditure. Because it is a pure project by the Cologne district government. The starting signal for the company is planned for January 1, 2026. However, around 8 million euros have to be invested in the renovation in advance, while 16 million euros should flow to the state-owned construction and property business (BLB) NRW.

an expensive but necessary project?

The listed old building and the former canteen, all connected with bridges, are renovated to make it usable for the next ten years. But a sustainable renovation? None! According to the district government, the project is still economical because the rent goes to the state -owned BLB. In view of the high property prices, the fictional monthly rent of 409.50 euros per person appears to be relatively appropriate. Exciting: only one of thirteen comparable facilities of the district government in Cologne area is more expensive.

critical voices and great needs

But not everyone is convinced of this gigantic project. Downtown district mayor Andreas Hupke von den Greens had already expressed concerns at the beginning of the year. In his opinion, "such a facility is slammed", and the municipality has to see itself how it can cope with it. In addition, he argues, the widening of the area is more suitable for a school or apartments than for accommodation. In short: no climate renovation is carried out here, but a missed opportunity for long-term more sustainable use to express it in the image slong.

As it is said, the district government sees no available alternatives. The facility in the Agnesviertel is urgently needed because the current building on Schönhauser Strasse in Bayenthal is to close. Despite the high costs and criticisms, the accommodation will continue to be economically considered because the rental payment flows to the state-owned BLB, such as The Cologne Stadt-Anzeiger reported .

It is unclear how the residents will react to this innovation. The view ranges from benevolent understanding to potential changes in the quarter. Now it is up to the district government of Cologne to remove transparent planning and the dialogue with everyone involved. It remains to be seen whether this succeeds!