Cultural policy - Taxpayers' association: cut wish list for cultural buildings
The taxpayers' association warns of financial risks for the state capital of Baden-Württemberg due to new major projects. State head Eike Möller said: "One can only be amazed that, despite the financial problems in Germany, parts of Stuttgart's local council are calling for billions to be spent on building new cultural venues with high follow-up costs in an almost inflationary manner." In view of the global crises and their impact on public budgets in Germany, restraint is actually appropriate.
According to the press release, the city will probably have to contribute over 500 million euros for the renovation of the opera house alone. The taxpayers' association also feared that a new building for the Schleyerhalle and renovations to the Villa Berg could add well over 500 million euros.
In addition, plans are being developed for the construction of a new concert hall in the city. This would certainly involve costs of several hundred million euros. Now the planned realization of another concert hall in Bad Cannstatt is also under discussion, in which the city is also to make a financial contribution. In addition, there is the construction of a theater on Stuttgart's Pragsattel, the plan for a house for film and media, considerations for a house of cultures and a conversion of a discotheque for the independent dance and theater scene, as the taxpayers' association also announced.
Möller said: "The sheer volume of these requests alone should give pause for thought." The regional head called for this to be questioned and for the wish list to be drastically reduced. He also pointed out that further major investments are needed in the municipality. In addition to the climate neutrality target of 2035, a lot of money is needed for the renovation of schools, the expansion of daycare facilities and the maintenance of transport routes, among other things.
Borrowing in the three-digit million range is already planned for both 2024 and 2025. "In Stuttgart, too, the financial scope in the municipal budget is limited. Everyone who shares responsibility for this must be aware of this."
Taxpayers' association
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Source: www.stern.de
