New JUZ Lauterborn building expected to go into operation in summer

The new youth and family center in the Lauterborn district can already be put into operation this summer. The outdoor facilities are to be completed in the fall/winter following the demolition of the previous building, which can no longer be renovated. The symbolic foundation stone for the new replacement building was only laid in December 2022. With around 2,000 square meters of space, it will provide even more extensive services and support options for children, young people and families than before. In addition to the Johann-Strauß-Weg daycare center and the new after-school care center for primary school children, the youth and family center will offer numerous services in cooperation with several departments of the youth welfare office, independent providers and the Offenbach daycare center operator. In future, this will also include a bicycle workshop, an exercise room for fitness and dance activities and more circus education. There will also be a girls' room and a creative room. Offers for parents and larger events such as concerts or readings are also planned.

Paul-Gerhard Weiß, Head of Planning and Construction, is delighted with the imminent completion of the work: "Despite some delays due to staff and delivery bottlenecks at the construction companies, we will be able to start operations this year as planned." As with many other private and public construction projects, the costs for this project also increased during the construction period - after the construction work was awarded. The main reason for this is the enormous price increases in the construction industry since the pandemic and the subsequent jump in inflation. At 10.7 million euros, the construction costs are now around 1.8 million euros higher. For construction services and contracts that have already been awarded, the additional costs amount to a total of 1.62 million euros. There are also additional costs of 50,000 euros for specialist personnel due to the need to clear explosive ordnance during construction, as well as an increase of 130,000 euros for the house connections. The municipal council is asking the city councillors to approve the provision of the increased funds at their next meeting.

"We have examined all possibilities to reduce the costs during construction. But any loss of quality would be unacceptable for the sustainable operation of this important facility in the district," emphasizes Weiß. The entire project is being financed in part by federal and state funding from the 'Social Integration in the Neighborhood' program. The city of Offenbach will receive 750,000 euros from the state and 3.75 million euros from the federal government. The city's share will be financed as usual for investment measures by means of loans.