Discovering new knowledge through experimentation and research. - The process of building the Coastal Research Center has commenced.
Three years ago, the Coastal Research Station on Norderney shut down its traditional research facility. Since then, construction work has been underway on a new site on mainland Norddeich (in the Aurich district). The 34 researchers and employees of this state-owned research institution will soon work in a newly built structure directly behind the dike. Norden-Frisia, a local shipping firm, is in charge of the project. They've been constructing a multi-story building there for a while now.
The move to the new location, which was initially delayed, is now set to happen sometime between late summer and fall of 2025. A representative for the Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Protection, and Nature Conservation Authority (NLWKN) confirmed this. In previous announcements in 2021, the Environment Ministry, NLWKN Directorate, and shipping company had hinted at relocating the station by the end of 2024. The lease term spans for at least 20 years.
Instead of the two floors initially planned, the building will now boast three floors. Based on a company spokesperson's confirmation, there are plans for commercial spaces on the ground floor, while the first two floors will be shared by the Coastal Research Station. The upper level and third floor will house residential space. The extra floor has added to the overall construction cost, bumping it up from nine to roughly twelve million euros.
The Coastal Research Station has been in operation for over 80 years. Its mission is to provide guidance to the state government on matters related to coastal protection and nature conservation. The facility on Norderney was shuttered due to crumbling infrastructure - the safety of employees and visitors was suspected to be at risk. As mentioned, the now-emptied service building is currently on the market, as shared by Lower Saxony Water Management.
The station's team members have been working at the NLWKN's facilities in Norden since the closure in 2020. Before, they had been stationed at the facility on Norderney. The decision to close the island facility faced backlash—not only from the employees themselves but also from the Greens in the Lower Saxony State Parliament and the city of Norderney, who desired for it to stay put.
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The construction of the new Coastal Research Center is taking place in Norddeich, which is located in the Aurich district. BMU and NLWKN are involved in this project, aimed at providing new knowledge about coastal protection and nature conservation. Due to the delayed move, the researchers will be working in the new structure directly behind the North dike between late summer and fall of 2025. The building's extra floor, added to the initial cost of nine million euros, will house commercial spaces, Coastal Research Station facilities, and residential areas.
