Predominant criticism of the project: The Starnberger Bahnhofplatz must be readjusted
Created: 06/28/2022, 14:45
The "See-and-the-City" project launched by the city of Starnberg is not well received by the general public (symbol image).
© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa
Starnberg - It is currently the most hotly debated topic in the district town: the so-called "temporary redesign of the station square" is to be readjusted after massive criticism from the citizens.
However, they want to stick to the idea of exploring the long-term possibilities of traffic-calmed zones in this area by temporarily converting public areas.
As the city's project officer, Sarah Buckel is not having an easy time at the moment, as she reported to the city council: Public criticism had rained down, especially because of the removal of parking spaces at the station roundabout and in front of the "Seehof" hotel - a total of 300 citizens who had been surveyed said they were predominantly negative.
The painting of sidewalks (“project areas”), which some locals perceive as amateurish and intended as a visual encouragement to the citizens to take possession of these areas with new forms of use, should also be reconsidered because of this feedback.
Unfortunately, due to time and organizational reasons, overpainting is no longer an option during the "experiment" planned until September, says Buckel,
but the city wants to continue to try to use the freed space at the roundabout in front of the "Bayerischer Hof".
There had only been cancellations from the gastronomy side
(we reported)
, while the church square has been getting more and more visitors since the start of the "See-and-the-City" concept, as reported by UWG City Councilor Winfried Wobbe.
Council colleague Michael Mignoli (Bürgerliste), who as a local self-employed entrepreneur was supposed to intervene to provide support through his contacts, complained about communication deficits and that the city administration had not sought enough contact with the affected business owners and restaurateurs and involved them in the run-up to the station redesign actions - a criticism , which Sarah Buckel promptly rejected: "We did it all, we were there."
Buckel admitted that "not everything can work out right away" with such an experimental project and announced that, for example, the parking spaces in front of the "Gallo Nero" (Hotel Seehof) and the bus bay would be released again.
The area between the former beer garden of "La Taverna" and the roundabout should still be filled with life, for example with a flea market.
Franz Heidinger (BLS) remained skeptical: "It doesn't work, you should have offered live music." Wobbe (UWG) cited the Garmisch Summer of Culture as a positive example and reminded that there are many musicians and bands in Starnberg.
Ludwig Jägerhuber (CSU) did not want to be deterred by public displeasure: "It was clear that this would not happen without criticism." If only a small cog was turned in Starnberg, said Jägerhuber,
the Starnberger "as such" is immediately on hand with complaints - he criticizes relatively quickly, but is also there when something is repeated.
Anke Henniger (FDP) saw it similarly: "The city administration is doing an excellent job - definitely keep going!" She recommended and, like Jägerhuber, expressly thanked the many volunteers for their commitment.
Meanwhile, Kerstin Täubner-Benicke (Greens) wanted the city to make the project “more visible” to the public.
Eva Pfister (Bündnis Mitte Starnberg) pointed out another aspect that speaks in favor of continuing the "experiment": "The urban development funding would make us cough if we ended everything after just a few weeks."
Johannes Glogger (WPS) didn't want to give the whole thing another chance: "No positive response whatsoever,
it is perceived as embarrassing.
This experiment has failed, we should end it!” His corresponding motion then failed with 4:24 votes.
