Start of construction for numerous intervention areas in January

Building Mayor Michael Stötzer today provided information on the status of construction work on the intervention areas for the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025. The 30 intervention areas are the city of Chemnitz's urban development project for the European Capital of Culture, which now involves an investment of over 60 million euros.

Accordingly, construction will begin on numerous intervention areas in the coming weeks. The City of Chemnitz currently expects the project to be completed on schedule.

Building Mayor Michael Stötzer: "We are starting the new year with a lot of vigour, in a few weeks almost all 30 intervention areas for the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 will at least be under construction.

All of the projects have one thing in common: they were preceded by lively participation by citizens, associations and numerous other stakeholders in the city's neighbourhoods and localities. In this way, we are actually bringing the Capital of Culture to the neighbourhoods of the people of Chemnitz in several larger and many more smaller projects and making the Capital of Culture programme possible there in 2025.

This will be possible above all because we are receiving strong support from funding bodies from Europe, the federal government and the Free State. As a result, the originally estimated funds from the European Capital of Culture budget will be more than doubled and, in all likelihood, over 60 million euros will be invested in the city's infrastructure. This means that the European Capital of Culture idea in Chemnitz will also have an impact as an urban development project far beyond 2025."

Numerous measures begin

In the coming weeks, a series of construction measures will begin, primarily under the title "Public Squares" in the areas of the citizens' platforms or the neighbourhoods, but other areas of the "City by the River" are also taking shape:

"Stadt am Fluss", Kappelbach - Feldschlösschen play and rest area: By mid-2024, a new play and rest area is to be created as a Capital of Culture project on the "Am Feldschlößchen" intervention site, inviting young and old to linger, relax, play and take part in sporting activities. In addition to bicycle stands and benches, a shelter for bad weather will also be built. This is the centrepiece of the facility.
Start of construction: I/2024, end of construction: II/2024

"Stadt am Fluss", Chemnitz, Nordpark and Helgoland: Beach feeling on the river: The Chemnitz, which is already easily accessible in this area on Hauboldstraße, will be designed as a small beach with sediments in a natural setting. Sun loungers and small tables will be set up and some larger natural stones added. As a counterpart to the planned footbridge on Hauboldstraße, an access to the water with large stones in the embankment will be created opposite in the area of the former Helgoland garden plot. Tree trunks for sitting and leaning on as well as large boulders will be laid on the meadow area. The paving of the road stump at the former bridge will be broken up, planted with greenery and provided with seating elements from which you can look out onto the new deck opposite.
Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: II/2024

Public spaces (Mitte-West civic platform), Küchwald area: The park is to receive a reception pavilion in 2025. The facilities in and around Küchwald have long wanted such a pavilion - in dialogue with visitors to the large green space - as a central point of contact and information, combined with a barrier-free toilet. In addition to the toilet, the pavilion is to have a changing table, a digital information board, weather-protected seating, lockers, drinking fountains, an e-bike charging station and bicycle parking spaces. Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: IV|2024

Public squares (Bürgerplattform Mitte), Vettersstraße: An event and cultural area is being created on Vettersstraße not far from Club Subbotnik and the new secondary school. The area is being reorganised by the City of Chemnitz. The slope to the sports field will be terraced and equipped with seating blocks, barrier-free access to the sports field, a path to the Subbotnik and a barbecue area will be created. Bicycle stands will also be installed and plants planted. In addition, technical infrastructure, such as electrical connections for events, will be installed. Subbotnik e.V. itself intends to build a stage on the site. A corresponding design is available. The conditions for this are already being created underground.
Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: III|2024

Public squares (north-east civic platform), Lessingplatz: Lessingplatz is part of the urban development framework plan for southern Sonnenberg. The listed Wilhelminian-style square is being comprehensively upgraded, with new seating and numerous play and sports facilities for jumping, balancing and climbing, among other things. New elements for skaters are also being created, which will make Lessingplatz more attractive for young and old. The redesign of the square is the result of extensive public participation.
Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: IV|2024

Public squares (Citizens' Platform West), Frei Otto Park: The general public voted on the redesign of Frei Otto Park in Chemnitz-Siegmar. The majority voted in favour of the option in which street furniture and information objects about Frei Otto and the history of the park are installed, but without an additional pavilion, which was available as both a temporary and a permanent option. Instead, a large pergola with seating is to be created. In addition, the park's existing benches and litter bins will either be repaired or replaced. For the long-term preservation of the park, a sustainable planting and maintenance concept is planned with the involvement of the city's landscape conservation trainees, which should make the park fit for the climatic adaptations in an exemplary manner. Sports equipment will also be installed that can be used by senior citizens as well as all other age groups.
Start of construction: II|2024, end of construction: III|2024

Public spaces (Bürgerplattform Süd), Morgenleite Park: The small city park behind the Vita Centre, which connects the Morgenleite and Helbersdorf districts, will be developed into a place for all generations to linger. The centrepiece of the park will be a water playground - the first of its kind in Chemnitz. There are also plans to embellish the Garden of Tranquillity, create a path of the senses and install various exercise elements for young and old along the path through the park. Here, too, there was extensive public participation, which prioritised the
realisation of the elements in the park according to citizens' priorities.
Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: II|2024

Public spaces (northern citizens' platform), Chemnitztal cycle path rest area: A new rest area is being built on the city's longest cycle path near the Fischweg bridge in the north of Chemnitz. The historic, now unused bridge structure will be relocated and incorporated into the design of the rest area as an impressive backdrop. The search for a suitable location for the rest area and the former fishway bridge proved to be more difficult and protracted than expected, as environmental protection concerns (flood protection with flooding areas), nature conservation (FFH area) and available land had to be taken into account. As part of a public dialogue, the current location was finally found and the elements that could be implemented were selected.
Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: II|2024

Public spaces (Klaffenbach, play and leisure centre), cultural park and a sports trail at the moated castle: The district of Klaffenbach has opted for three leisure areas around the moated castle: The play and leisure centre at the moated castle in Klaffenbach for children aged 3-12 is to be extended. New elements will include a nest swing, a construction site and a large fish with a slide. The cultural park will be upgraded in line with nature conservation requirements and will serve as a green classroom. At the request of the citizens, several sports stations will be created in the Tiergartenwald to maintain personal fitness.
Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: IV|2024

Public squares (Röhrsdorf), "Arthur Lange" club centre: The currently vacant first floor is to be reactivated. In particular, the exhibition of the model "Röhrsdorf 100 years ago" is to find its place. The association centre is also the starting point of the "Arthur Lange Trail" through the village and offers information on this. Other ideas for its use include exhibitions by regional artists and space for activities organised by local associations. The reactivation of the upper floor was a long-cherished wish of the village, which previously seemed impossible to finance. Thanks to the Capital of Culture funds, a place of culture, encounters and exchange is now being created once again. Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: III|2024

Two public squares are hiking trails: In Kleinolbersdorf-Altenhain, an approximately ten-kilometre-long themed circular hiking trail around the village will be created from spring. Ten stations along the Lohse-Uhlig-Steig (LUS for short) will provide information about the area and its history, as well as insights into natural areas and industrial history. In addition, the important namesakes of the circular trail and their work are presented, as well as offers to linger and leisure activities. One of the most important stations is the leisure centre in the heart of Kleinolbersdorf. This will be renovated and will then be available for ball games such as basketball, volleyball and floorball. A hiker's hut will also be built at the entrance to the forest, inviting visitors to linger and enjoy the view of the FFH nature reserve.
Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: IV|2024

The idea behind the 18-kilometre-long "Chemnitzer Höhenweg" is to connect the districts of the south-east civic platform and make them visible together. The joint contribution of the neighbourhoods of Adelsberg, Reichenhain, Erfenschlag and Harthau aims to welcome people from the neighbourhoods, Chemnitz, Saxony, Germany, Europe and the world in the Capital of Culture year 2025 and beyond. Information boards will provide detailed information in words and pictures about sights and interesting facts along the hiking route. In addition, a total of four weather mushrooms, one in each district, invite you to linger or take shelter.
Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: II|2024

Public spaces (Grüna), Bergstraße leisure area: Grüna has decided to redesign the public green space with a football pitch on Bergstraße in addition to a new nine-kilometre circular hiking trail on the history of the town. The area on Bergstrasse is to be sensitively upgraded and supplemented with structural functions. According to the wishes of the residents and Grüna clubs, a place to meet, socialise, experience and enjoy will be created here. In future, there will be small recreational areas and meeting points for all age groups along Bergstrasse. A plateau in the centre of the site will create new perspectives and opportunities. The new pump track increases the courage and joy of movement of 4 to 14-year-old children. A variety of plants and associated paths gently integrate this place into the sensitive environment. Nature conservation requirements and regulations play a key role in the development of this site. The area on the mountain road will also provide a rest stop for the future premium cycle path on the old Wüstenbrand - Küchwald railway line.
Start of construction: I|2024, end of construction: II|2024

Public spaces (Einsiedel), expansion of the "Club E" youth club: In Einsiedel, there are plans to expand the youth club that has been in operation for years. The existing facility will be extended by one floor. The newly gained space can then be used by the youth club. There are also plans for the local council to use the rooms for events. There is also the idea of setting up and using a so-called slot car racetrack, a large car racing track, in the newly created space.
Start of construction: II|2024, end of construction: IV|2024

Further projects are on schedule

Various other measures are already under construction. These include the Kreativhof Stadtwirtschaft, the Garage Campus or the Hartmannfabrik, headquarters of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH and visitor centre in 2025, or the House of the Expressionist Schmidt-Rottluff under the title "Places of Awakening". Construction work has been underway in the district park on the Pleißenbach green corridor for around a year, and two construction phases have already been completed. The lift in the Wittgensdorf primary school, the fairground in Euba and, for the most part, the Gablenz citizens' park have also been completed. The marathon tower in the Sportforum has also been completed, and work is currently underway on the presentation of Chemnitz's sporting history.

Scope and financing

30 million euros were originally available for these construction projects from the overall budget of the European Capital of Culture in accordance with the financing agreement between the city, state and federal government. The City of Chemnitz is now counting on additional funding from specialist funding programmes. According to the current status of work, this will enable a total investment volume of more than 60 million euros.

The funding comes from various programmes of the European Union, the federal government and the Free State of Saxony. These include the European Regional Development Fund, the nationwide programmes "National Urban Development Projects", "Vibrant Centres - Preservation and Development of Town and City Centres" and "Urban Development Projects". Preservation and Development of Town and City Centres", "Growth and Sustainable Development of Town and City Centres" or the Federal Institute for Building, Urban and Regional Development (BBSR).

The Free State of Saxony provides funding from the State Office for the Preservation of Monuments, funding for road and bridge projects and for measures to improve the condition of water bodies and preventive flood protection, as well as funding from the party and mass organisations of the former GDR.

Further information can be found at www.chemnitz.de/interventionsflaechen