Steinmetz bookshop uses town hall pavilion before renovation begins
05.07.2024
With the temporary offers of the radraum, stadtraum and jugendraum, Agentur Mitte has succeeded in developing the town hall pavilion into a popular and lively meeting place in the middle of Offenbach's city center.
Lord Mayor Dr. Felix SchwenkeThe past two years have shown that many people actually want to use the town hall pavilion. It must therefore now be renovated in such a way that this is also possible in the long term.
Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke reminds us that the town hall pavilion is one of 16 key projects in the future concept for Offenbach's city center. Until the planned refurbishment begins, the pavilion is now providing a temporary home for Steinmetz'sche Buchhandlung.
The long-established bookshop, which suffered serious soot damage from a neighboring fire on May 26, can use the rooms in the town hall pavilion rent-free until September 30 so that it can once again offer its customers a range of products and services. The team will be stocking a small, selected range of books and taking orders from July 8. Pick-ups will also be possible again. Opening hours are Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am to 2 pm, Tuesdays from 3 pm to 6 pm. "The idea of Lisa Schumacher temporarily moving her bookshop into the pavilion originally came from Hans-Jörg André from the music store of the same name. When I was asked whether I would allow it, I naturally agreed immediately. My highly committed employees then immediately checked this with Ms. Schumacher and have now made it possible. And the fact that Franziska Höfer from the Löwen-Apotheke pharmacy also gave her immediate support and made an office space available, and that other property owners in the city center also offered specific spaces, shows that we are on the right track: There is a great deal of support among our retailers. This is not a matter of course, but it proves that we are not wrong with 'Soul OF Hessen': Our city and its people are simply the soul of Hessen," said Mayor Schwenke.
Refurbishment begins in October
Following its temporary use by the bookshop, the renovation of the town hall pavilion will begin as planned in October. With a new operating concept, it should remain an important hub in the city center in the long term. To achieve this, it is necessary to bring the fire protection, electrical installations and technology up to date. In addition, installations are required so that it can also be used for catering in the future. During the renovation period, which is expected to last a year, a new operator is also to be found.
radraum and jugendraum are looking for new rooms
And what's next for radraum and jugendraum? "We are also supporting these offers with the Agentur Mitte and the space management of the Economic Development Agency in the search for new premises," confirms Schwenke. In any case, the jugendraum team is determined to continue with the previously developed offerings elsewhere. Talks are already underway with potential new landlords. "The jugendraum has fulfilled a long-standing demand from young people in the town hall pavilion: to establish a meeting place that is open to all and free of consumption. Here they could come together without constraints, organize learning cafés, workshops or cinema evenings and be politically active," says Schwenke. "I would be delighted if this place could live on elsewhere in our city center." Anyone who has an idea for a new space or would like to get involved can send an email to the young people via the children's and youth parliamentkjpoffenbachde.
"Goodbye" and "Auf Wiedersehen" was also the motto of the radraum at the closing party, whose organizers once again offered bike tours and a bike flea market. People met up for a drink while enjoying the music and planning further activities for the current cycling season. Until July 7, the radraum will be exhibiting at the international bicycle trade fair Eurobike in Frankfurt (exhibition hall 12.1; in the Handmade Area). From July 12 to 14, those responsible will be taking part in the annual tour of the Hochschule für Gestaltung - as always with cool drinks, lots of tools, bike fun and good music.
"But in the foreseeable future, the radraum will also be moving to another location in the long term," says Mayor Schwenke. Talks are currently underway with potential landlords and cooperation partners. In addition to the support of Agentur Mitte and the business development agency's space management, there have already been talks with Gründerstadt.
More information on the future concept for the city center
The future concept for the city center developed in 2020 with the people of Offenbach and the planners from Hamburg-based urbanista now comprises 16 projects. These are far-reaching offers to strengthen the heart of the city as a place for new ideas, experiences and exchange between citizens. "Anyone who walks through the city with open eyes can see how the city center is suffering from this shrinking of the retail sector," says Mayor Schwenke. "Our aim is to keep as much retail as possible, which is why we need to support the remaining retailers. But it is also absolutely clear that things will never be the same again. We are therefore fighting with all our might to mitigate the impact on the city center and to contribute to a new city center with new projects. The transformation process has begun, the first projects are being implemented and further impetus will follow."
Contact/info
Steinmetz'sche Buchhandlung by email infosteinmetz-buchde and telephone 069-884700
youth space: kjpoffenbachde // INSTAGRAM jugendraum.off
radraum: kontaktradrauminfo // INSTAGRAM radraum