Interest in Brühl is growing: Third citizens' platform provides information on the status of development

Mayor Barbara Ludwig began by reporting on the progress made since the last citizens' platform on 24 January 2012: "A lot has happened, Brühl is on the right track. With the progress of the plans for Chemnitz University of Technology's central library and the establishment of the Brühl Office, interest in the Brühl has continued to grow." According to Mayor Barbara Ludwig, people looking for accommodation, tradespeople, prospective buyers, investors and project organisers are increasingly making enquiries.

Parallel to the launch of the SOP - Active Urban and District Centres funding programme, which will provide around 3.5 million euros in funding until 2018, the Brühl Office on Brühl Boulevard (on the corner of Untere Aktienstraße) has been a contact point for all interested parties and stakeholders since mid-September 2012. The office serves as an open information and advice centre as well as a meeting point and workshop. From here, Brühl Management coordinates the individual ongoing activities - including support for the initial redevelopment activities of private owners, support for individual projects such as the Musikkombinat in the Karl Liebknecht School, the organisation of events, exchange in open Brühl rounds for joint design as well as centre and commercial space management.

Individual refurbishment activities are currently underway on Brühl, both by individual owners this year and next, as well as by GGG in the form of the ongoing refurbishment of buildings in the first square on Georgstrasse. There has also been increased interest from investors in individual buildings on Brühl - talks are currently underway. "I am very confident that we will see further positive developments here next year," says Barbara Ludwig, "it is crucial that we facilitate a good mix of smaller and larger investments and individual alternative projects in order to develop Brühl into a vibrant and diverse neighbourhood."

The Brühlbüro brings together a wealth of good ideas and project approaches from young creative minds. The aim is to use these to develop concepts for Brühl and create opportunities. For example, the Musikkombinat is currently being set up in the former Karl Liebknecht School - with rehearsal rooms, recording studios, Radio T, club premises and studios. The associated Atomino cultural club has already moved into the school's former gymnasium. Together with other initiatives and associations, the aim is to create opportunities for a versatile Brühl that allows young creative people to get involved and develop projects as well as individual properties to be developed by owners and investors.

Brühl management is supported by the KiQ - Cooperation in the Neighbourhood project run by Haus und Grund Chemnitz together with the city, the GGG and the district craftsmen's association, which is responsible for contacting and exchanging interests with private property owners. Numerous neighbourhood meetings have already been held here to discuss specific interests and coordinate the possible joint development of the neighbourhoods. Bernd Weber, Chairman of Haus und Grund Chemnitz, is optimistic about the development. So far, he says, it has been very successful in encouraging constructive communication between the owners and promoting cooperation in the joint design of the neighbourhood.

Rector Prof. Arnold van Zyl emphasised the great opportunity that has arisen for both the city and Chemnitz University of Technology at Brühl. "It is the young creative people in particular that we need in the city and at the university. With the development of the Brühl, Chemnitz has a unique opportunity to establish an appropriate neighbourhood that creates these connections and thus a creative and attractive environment."

The plans to establish the university library in the Alte Aktienspinnerei are also progressing. A Europe-wide architectural competition is currently underway - the conclusion with a jury decision is scheduled for the end of January 2013, the implementation planning is due to start in 2013 and construction is planned to begin in 2014. The establishment of the library and the other university facilities planned for the future is a decisive impetus for the development of the inner-city university quarter and the Brühl as a vibrant urban neighbourhood. Rector Arnold van Zyl emphasised that other Chemnitz University of Technology facilities will follow.

After reports from the Lord Mayor, the Rector and the Brühl manager, individual participants and partners in the Brühl development gave short statements, followed by an open exchange with the guests present to discuss and exchange ideas about the future development.

The next Brühl Citizens' Platform will take place in spring to mid-2013.

Contact:

City of Chemnitz
Brühl office
Brühl manager Dr Urs Luczak
Untere Aktienstraße 12(corner of Brühl-Boulevard)
09111 Chemnitz

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 10 am - 4 pm, Fri: 10 am - 2 pm

Telephone: 0371- 488 1585
Email: bruehl@stadt-chemnitz.de

Internet: www.chemnitz-bruehl.de