Neustadt in Holstein's BUND Environmental House Controversy
Construction proceedings renew at BUND Environment House following years of halt.
Recent controversy surrounding the BUND Environmental House has left locals puzzled in Neustadt. Construction stalled for months, leaving many questioning what's really going on. After initial demolition and a groundbreaking ceremony, silence reigned until recently. We dug deeper to find out why the project hasn't gained momentum and what the future holds.
A Delayed Beginning
Politicians from state and federal levels, along with Mayor Mirko Spieckermann, inaugurated the extension and renovation of the BUND Environmental House in November 2023. Unlike what was expected, construction machinery didn't appear, and progress stalled—until now. The planned completion date in the summer of 2025 now seems out of reach.
Postponement Woes
The intermittent starts of this project are particularly disheartening, as the initial plan called for a 2021 completion with a €4 million budget. However, extensive inspections, inflation, and supply chain bottlenecks thwarted these plans. Gargantuan cost increases slowed things down even further.
Escalating Costs and Solutions
We asked Dr. Andreas Schmidt, the house and project leader, about the cost explosion. Apparently, they could never have foreseen these additional costs. With a jump from €9 to €12 million, the environmental house experienced a staggering 30% cost increase, which wasn't factored in. With costs now exceeding initial estimates by 50%, additional sponsors and donations were required, raising the total budget to €12 million.
The project team applied for additional funding from the Federal Ministry for the Environment and Consumer Protection (BMUV), but their application was rejected in the summer of 2024. The attempt to secure funds through federal politicians during budget negotiations fell through as well.
A Lifeline from GLS Bank
Despite these setbacks, the team cooperated with GLS Bank and found a solution by applying to their non-profit association, GLS-Treuhand, for donations. In November 2024, they received the good news: generosity from GLS Bank would cover the additional costs. "I never thought there would be such generous donors," a joyful Dr. Andreas Schmidt declared. Construction work will recommence soon, and they expect the donation to exactly cover the reduced construction costs.
Rebuilding and Progress
The BUND Environmental House team's relentless efforts have ensured that the project will proceed in its original volume, with some minor reductions in technical standards. The parties involved believe that the donation will secure funding from federal and state governments and allow for the implementation of the original construction plan. With a slight adjustment, the luxury seaside villa expansion will finally break ground in the near future.
Even during its hiatus, the Environmental House maintained an educational program. In 2024, Magdalena Gatta, the education officer, offered over 90 events to over 1,500 participants. The environmental education offer will continue this year, ensuring that the community remains engaged and informed despite the construction halt.
- The delay in the completion of the BUND Environmental House, initially budgeted at €4 million in 2021, has now extended to a new budget of €12 million, with a significant increase due to unforeseen costs in the science and environmental-science sector.
- Despite the project's financial challenges and unexpected setbacks in the realm of finance and environmental-science, the team found a lifeline in GLS Bank, who generously donated to cover the additional costs, enabling construction to resume soon.
