“Too expensive”: city policy overturns plans for water bay at the fairgrounds

The sparrows have been whistling it from the rooftops for a long time, and as of today it’s official: the Linzer Wasserbucht, which was long considered the heart of the planning for making the Urfahran fairground more attractive, is history. There is no longer a majority for political implementation.

Before the local council elections in autumn 2021, it was completely different, and the political consensus on the implementation of the project, which goes back to the Linz architecture collective GUT, was often touted. As reported, much of it is now gone.

Water bay instead of Danube island

The plans began in March 2018, when the architectural collective GUT won the “Linzer Prize for Urban Development” initiated by the Neos with their ideas for the fairgrounds. The idea of ​​the Danube Island originally planned had to be discarded for water protection reasons, and the water bay was to become a new attraction for those seeking relaxation.

But nothing will come of it now, that is now finally clear with today’s discussion of representatives of all city government parties, although without the presence of the idea contributors. The sticking point in the political discussions was the question of costs.

Cost estimate: nine million euros

The estimates for the implementation of the overall project with greening measures and water bay are now at nine million euros. Planning councilor Dietmar Prammer (SP) says that not included are any disposal costs for contaminated excavation material. Although this is not harmful to health, it cannot be disposed of like normal building materials.

While Prammer is now talking about the fact that the planning of the water bay will not be pursued, and FP security councilor Michael Raml (FP) is happy that the expensive “chattel in the air” is off the table, environmental councilor Eva Schobesberger (Greens) and the vice mayor responsible for traffic see Martin Hajart (VP) a “missed opportunity”.

“With the decision to let the water bay go under, the plan to give one of the most central squares in the middle of the Danube back to the people in such an attractive way has moved a long way off,” says Schobesberger, who once again criticizes the city for taking this project despite federal funding, but at the same time spent around 10.7 million euros on the Auhof-Dornach motorway half-connection.

Hajart also sees a lot of untapped potential, he announced that the ÖVP will continue to work to make both banks of the Danube more attractive. Criticism of the decision also comes from Linz+ parliamentary group chairman Lorenz Potocnik.

Further planning necessary

In contrast to the bay, the planned greening measures are not up for debate, the area that will be freed up and reserved for the bay is now also to be included in the unsealing plans. It is unclear when the work can begin. In addition to the necessary rescheduling, there is also a need for a submission plan and a new cost estimate, says Prammer. A start before 2024 is therefore rather unlikely.

If the city government has its way, the architectural collective should take over the new plans. Andreas Henter signals a willingness to talk, but also makes it clear what he thinks of the decision: “This is a victory of discouragement.”