The interest in the guided tours led by Josef Langthaler was well above the expectations of the organizers from the Munzbach Citizens’ Movement (MBB), which pleased their spokesman Karl Pechböck: “We didn’t expect that.”
On the one hand, Pechböck attributes the great rush to the fact that it had not been possible to enter the building with its rich history for years. On the other hand, it also reflects the interest of the people of Münzbach in the preservation and future use of the building. This was also evident in the “Agenda 21” process, in which a future profile for Münzbach was drawn up last year with the participation of the citizens. This profile was approved by the municipal council last week. “During the process, the future of the monastery emerged as a clear top issue,” says entrepreneur and MBB community board member Karl-Heinz Prinz.
The open day was an instrument with which the citizens could get an idea of the situation of the 360-year-old building, which was first used as a Dominican monastery, later as a retirement home of the city of Linz for up to 360 people in need of care and as a Gendarmerie post, medical practice, Raiffeisenbank, school and for social housing. The community and parish currently share ownership.
Opinions in the community differ as to whether and how the extensive building can be preserved and put to an affordable, sustainable use. A usage concept drawn up in 2005 envisaged a mix of culture and club center as well as accommodation. This concept has now been rejected, as has the initiative of the Münzbach meat industrialist Franz Greisinger, who wanted to combine revitalization with the construction of a residential complex in the adjacent garden.
Good ideas are needed more than ever. In any case, this topic should be discussed further at a citizens’ dialogue day on September 29th.
Source: Nachrichten
