Marketplace conversion: project objective and planned changes

The central aim of the renovation is to increase the quality of the stay and to give the city center between Marktplatz, Frankfurter Straße and Wilhelmsplatz a uniform appearance. There is to be a smooth transition between the market square and the pedestrian zone: To achieve this, sandstone-colored paving slabs will be laid and the kerbs will be lowered to increase accessibility. In addition to the pavement, the street lighting will also be renewed. Benches on the market square will invite people to linger and more trees will be planted.

The carriageway will be narrowed by two meters and the sidewalks widened accordingly. For the time being, cars will still be able to drive through the market square, but there will be detours during individual construction phases.

The tent-roof bus stop in front of the Schwanen pharmacy is being renovated: a high-quality steel construction is planned that takes up the design motif of a tree - with a "trunk" and a roof based on a tree leaf. This 40-square-metre roof will serve as weather protection for waiting people and will be planted with herbs and grasses. In addition, a drinking water dispenser will be installed in the market square area. The Ottomar Gassenmeyer fountain will be repositioned on the Bieberer Straße / Marktplatz axis and, surrounded by seating elements, will serve as a new place to spend time.

Another aim of the conversion is to reduce car traffic, promote cycling and increase safety for everyone. A traffic-calmed area with a maximum speed limit of 20 km/h will be created between Frankfurter Strasse and Waldstrasse. At the same time, cycling will be encouraged: cyclists will be allowed to cycle in the opposite direction from Waldstrasse to Frankfurter Strasse and from the western side of Wilhelmsplatz to the market square.

After the conversion, a traffic survey will clarify whether the changed traffic routing and the narrowing of the road will lead to less car traffic in the city center.

A total of 5.5 million euros has been earmarked for the renovation of the market square. This will be financed with the remaining "Lebendige Zentren" funding of around 2 million euros, income from street contributions of around 1.48 million euros and a further 2 million euros from the city's budget.

In addition, the greening of the new bus stop roof will cost 40,000 euros, including 11,000 euros for the substrate and plants and 29,000 euros for construction, statics and planning. A further 36,000 euros will be spent on lighting the "leafy roof". The costs are 90 percent subsidized by state programs.

The costs for the drinking water fountain are estimated at 39,000 euros, 90 percent of which is also eligible for funding. In addition, there are annual maintenance costs of 4,000 euros.

Citizens and retailers have been able to contribute their ideas for the redesign at a total of 30 public events since 2009.