The Wolfratshauser list has started a citizens' initiative to prevent a project at Marienplatz.
The group is optimistic - the collection is ongoing.
Wolfratshausen – As reported, the Wolfratshausen list has been collecting signatures against the relocation of the Marienbrunnen for a good week now.
The aim is to preserve the square of the same name in its current state in the shadow of the town parish church.
As list chairman Helmut Forster explains when asked by our newspaper, the response to the citizens' initiative against the city council's decision is "very good".
Marienbrunnen: Group wants to stop measures with citizens' requests - and feels a tailwind
He and his colleagues are "constantly asked" that "finally" something is being done about the displacement of the historic fountain.
The signature lists are already available in almost 20 restaurants and shops in the city - for example in the clubhouse of the Isar Loisach Stadium in Farchet, in the Löwenbräu restaurant and the stationery shop.
"This number alone shows us that there are many supporters for our idea," says Forster.
The ex-town hall boss cannot quantify how many Wolfratshaus residents have already signed against the well shift: "It's too early for that - but we've received a lot of positive feedback." He is "absolutely convinced" that enough signatures will come together, to pass the citizen's request on to the city council.
Wolfratshauser list collects signatures against fountain relocation - Marienplatz project under scrutiny
The Wolfratshauser list has not imposed a specific timetable: “There is no deadline pressure, but it would be nice if we could do it before the city council’s summer break.” The committee meets in mid-July, but as of today there is no meeting in August in the city calendar.
"If it doesn't work out until after the summer break, it wouldn't be a problem for us either," says Forster.
If the group submits the referendum – and it is declared formally admissible – there are two options: either the city council revises its decision to move the well or there is a referendum.
In this case, the Wolfratshauser would be asked to go to the ballot box to vote on the project in a grassroots-democratic manner.
Forster: "If the city council does not comply with the citizens' request, we will definitely let this referendum come to pass."
LAW Wolfratshausen promotes the upgrading of the old town - "a large market place" is necessary
The idea of moving the fountain came from the citizen participation process to upgrade the old town, which started in 2018.
Among others, the association Lebendige Altstadt Wolfratshausen (LAW) had promoted the project to make the city center more attractive and fill it with life.
The aim of the specific measure at Marienplatz is to enlarge this area in the center of the shopping street and to gain space for events.
When asked by our newspaper, LAW boss Ernst Gröbmair emphasized that "several pieces of the jigsaw puzzle" are needed to revitalize downtown Wolfratshausen.
One of them “is a big marketplace” – specifically at Marienplatz.
Forster disagrees: "We're not gaining much space and we already have a lot of venues in our city."
LAW and Werbekreis Wolfratshausen are hosting the “White Dinner” on Saturday, July 2nd, on one of them, at the old raft landing.
A problem with this location: "If it rains in the days before the event, we have to cancel it because the beer benches would sink into the Batz." It would be different on Marienplatz.
Citizens' initiative from the Wolfratshauser list: the city council voted in favor of the project with a large majority
Gröbmair says about the Wolfratshauser list's citizens' initiative: "It's a democratic instrument.
If the Wolfratshausen majority want that, then that's the way it is." He expects - if enough signatures are collected - with a referendum.
The LAW chairman considers it unlikely that the city council will revise its opinion.
The decision to move Brunnen was made in April by a vote of 15:5.
"That's already a large majority."
You can read all the news from Wolfratshausen here.
The Wolfratshauser list gives several arguments against the transfer: For example, there is a risk that the well will be damaged during the measure, and the expenses - the costs are currently estimated at around 200,000 euros - are too high.
Gröbmair counters: "If this measure is carried out as part of the redesign of the old town, the city will receive funding for it." The municipality would not have to shoulder the costs alone.
Gröbmair does not share the concern that the fountain will break down - it would rather be "repaired".
