The mayor speaks of a great opportunity for Bernbeuren: On Tuesday, the operator of a possible supermarket in the Schnitzerstadel presented itself in the town hall.
Behind him is a major German food company.
Now it is up to the church to pave the way for him.
Bernbeuren - "Feneberg" is history, now Bernbeuren is flirting with "Nahkauf": Mayor Karl Schleich came out on Tuesday in the local council at the request of a member with the happy news: In the morning a man had introduced himself to him, the one on the upper floor of the Schnitzerstadel "Nahkauf-Filiale" wants to realize.
And the best thing about it: "He is completely satisfied with 500 square meters", Schleich assured and caused astonishment.
Ultimately, the course of confrontation did not bring anything
In the past, the size of a supermarket in a barn was usually the killer argument.
In the dispute with the preservationists, it was always said that a supermarket with 500 square meters of sales area was not economically viable.
The people of Bernbeur therefore called for the barn to be torn down so that there is room for a full-range supplier in the center of the village.
The then mayor Martin Hinterbrandner went on a course of confrontation with the authorities and the Ministry of Education.
However, the success remained manageable.
Although the petitions committee of the state parliament mediated, nothing happened for a long time.
Schnitzer-Areal is the big construction site of the new municipal council
In 2019 it became too colorful for the owner of the Schnitzer area.
He put the barn and the associated inn for sale.
The municipality had no choice but to take action itself, so that it does not lose the planning authority for the area.
In addition to the ailing drinking water supply in the village, the barn and restaurant are the second major construction site that Mayor Karl Schleich and the new local council had to take over in spring 2020.
The planner for the municipal monument protection concept has been established
In the meeting on Tuesday, originally only one planner for the municipal monument protection concept was to be determined.
The “MHArchitekten” office was ultimately awarded the contract.
Among other things, it will examine what is possible in cooperation with the monument conservationists in the village center.
It's not just about the Schnitzer area, but also about the Filserhaus, which is also part of the town hall's portfolio.
As reported, there is already a wealth of ideas.
There is talk of age-appropriate living, of medical practices and more.
"These are actually the bigger chunks," Schleich made clear in the local council.
"The local supply is only part of it."
Mayor warns against alienating those interested in supermarket
Nevertheless, the town hall chief warned against alienating those interested in the supermarket.
His idea on the upper floor, for which a driveway and turning area would have to be built, causes a slight discomfort.
"It would be fatal for Bernbeuren if we say we don't like the driveway, either you can handle the ground floor or you don't," said Schleich.
With good reason: The operator's offer is tempting: According to Schleich, he wants to pay a local rent.
"And he's giving us a ten-year contract with an option for five more."
It doesn't work without funding
The mayor also made it clear that the community will not be able to handle the project on its own: “We cannot afford to put in a million euros of our own funds.” So he plays the ball elegantly into the field of monument conservationists, who are known to have plenty of funding in prospect a consumer market should be able to be integrated into the barn.
Nevertheless, the local council and ex-vice-mayor Markus Socher put on the brakes at the meeting, who warned not to commit too quickly when planning.
Schleich countered this: "If we have someone who wants to get on board, we should check as quickly as possible whether that is possible so that we don't lose valuable time," he emphasized.
Possible operators should introduce themselves in the next but one municipal council meeting
Ultimately, the mayor received no opposition.
He now wants to invite the possible operator.
In the next but one meeting, he should present his concept to the local council, Schleich explained on request.
Admittedly, the mayor did not want to commit to a time horizon for the project.
But he did mention one wish for the possible opening of the supermarket: “The goal is spring 2023”, says Schleich.
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