City council approves feasibility study for new city library building
04.08.2021
The city library cannot be extended at its current location at Büsing-Palais / Bernardbau. For this reason, the city council decided at its meeting on July 14 to commission a feasibility study with the aim of examining a new building in Offenbach's city center. The city council is thus implementing the resolution passed by the city councillors on the "City Center Future Concept" on 18 June 2020.
"The future concept for the city center describes the Station Mitte as the so-called third location of a knowledge house, which not only expands the city library with a communicative learning location, but also makes it a venue for cultural events. It can also become a meeting place for clubs and initiatives," says Head of Planning Paul-Gerhard Weiß. The term "third place" was first coined by Ray Oldenburg, an American sociologist, in the early 2010s. The third place is not home, not work, not school. It has nothing to do with learning. People feel comfortable there, they come and go, they can eat and drink in the place, they communicate with each other and exchange ideas.
"The people of Offenbach will have a new city library with the amenity value of a living room and a gastronomic offer. A multifunctional concept is planned, the implementation of which will be largely carried out by the city. However, we will also integrate private-sector components. These include restaurants or rooms that can be rented for clubs or cultural events," says Weiß, explaining the plans.
The Office for Urban Planning, Transport and Construction Management is in charge of preparing the "New City Library" feasibility study together with those involved in the "Offenbach Mitte" future concept. In accordance with the basic resolution on the future concept for the city center, refinancing options for the new city library from the rental of the existing building are to be estimated. The Offenbach offensiv e.V. association expressly welcomes a new building in the city center and is contributing EUR 20,000 to the feasibility study for the new city library.
The city is also applying for the "Future City Center" funding program, which was launched by the state of Hesse on 26 May 2021 with the aim of strengthening Hessian city centers. A decision on acceptance is expected to be made in the fall of 2021, which could be used to refinance the feasibility study.
Background: Expansion of existing facility not possible / reasons for new construction
The main wing of the Büsing-Palais is leased to the operator of the Sheraton Hotel on a long-term basis. An extension of the current library into this area would have to be coordinated, would lead to a loss of rental income and would also significantly restrict planning freedom.
An extension in the Bernardbau is also not possible due to the lack of available space. The second floor is intended for personnel and organizational development. The vacant rooms of the former citizens' office have been ruled out because they would further divide up the city library and require solutions for the resulting operational organizational issues.
Planning law prevents the use of the adjacent Lilipark/reading garden for the structural expansion of the library, as the land use plan provides for green space at this location. An amendment procedure would have to be initiated beforehand. In addition, an extension to the Büsing-Palais would result in considerable monument protection requirements.
