Mega project in Cologne: 110 million euros for new refugee accommodation!

Mega project in Cologne: 110 million euros for new refugee accommodation!

The news is like a bomb: Cologne's legendary Agnesviertel is the setting for a multi -million dollar project. Where the time -honored upper finance directorate on Ebertplatz previously enthroned, an initial reception facility for refugees is created. This renovation will devour a whopping 110 million euros! Yes, you heard right. The traditional building will change and offer around 500 people accommodation.

Already on January 1, 2026, the facility is to open its gates-an ambitious time, such as t-online.de reported. The district government of Cologne, which is responsible for the renovation on behalf of the state, sees the use of the building, despite the high costs, an economically sensible decision. The rent goes to the state building and property company NRW (BLB), which should put a little relativizing the immense investment. But sustainable renovation is not planned; The focus is on short -term use for ten years. Why such an amount? Roats of several millions of millions and running costs are necessary, because the repair is not thoroughly, but purely pragmatic to take up the operation.

construction project for eternity?

So what exactly happens? The majestic architecture of the former chief finance directorate, a mixture of historical old building and canteen-shaped building bridge complex, is intended to become the heart of the new accommodation. But the high-house part, quiet witness of the End six-ziger architecture, is not used. Only the old building and the connected canteen defy the time and are reactivated. The rental costs are substantial and the construction plans are impressive, but sustainable renovation remains future music.

inner city district mayor Andreas Hupke is anything but satisfied with the procedure. "We can hardly cope with such projects here," he said at the beginning of the year. This is a bitter pill for the city of Cologne because it has hardly any opportunities for influence. Originally, 1000 refugees were to be accommodated! Thanks to the city's diplomatic skills, you found an agreement at 500. But the half-reduction raised the per capita costs-a classic financial dilemma.

urban society in turmoil

Such a construction project is of course not unnoticed. The critics have already been called on the scene, such as Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reported. Residents Kurt Metelmann, head of the Neustadt-Nord/Villen district, clearly expressed his concerns: "The monument protection is endangered and the quality of living and security decrease!" But there are also positive voices: Claus-Ulrich Prölß from the Cologne Refugee Council sees the location as perfect, because the proximity to the city is ideal. He demands talks with the residents to suffocate any conflicts in the bud.

The heated debate draws its circles and could be one of the upcoming challenges that administration and residents in Cologne have to take together. With the opening of the accommodation, not only spatial, but also social challenges are in the house. It remains exciting. Who would have thought that the district government of Cologne was planning such a coup in the old wall?