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The New Obertor has opened in Schlüchtern. After 16 months of construction, things are already buzzing with post offices and new shops. Parts of the city administration follow.
Schlüchtern – “Big Train Station” in the heart of Schlüchtern: The New Obertor is officially opened. After those responsible from politics, administration, investors and construction workers had ceremoniously cut the ribbon, the official opening took place in the town hall in front of around 200 guests – with lots of thanks and praise as well as enough time for networking and celebrating together.
Schlüchtern celebrates its new city center at Obertor
The post office can already be reached, the bakery, optician and clothing store will open on Thursday (May 28th) – and the work on Obertorstrasse is in its final stages: It's buzzing at the Neuer Obertor in the heart of the city.
“This is an emotional moment,” said Schlüchtern’s town hall boss Matthias Möller (independent) when it came to handing over the building complex to its intended use. In just 16 months of construction, an impressive building was built in the heart of the city, which, in addition to retail, a small hotel and private living space, also provides space for parts of the city administration. The city will move in here as an anchor tenant with the tourist information office, public order office and other “service-oriented” offices.
Thomas Rau acted as moderator at the official opening, which began with an image film. He announced the speakers who reviewed the “long journey” – or “Langer-Weg” – after the closure of the department store in the city center.
City hall boss Möller spoke of a shock when he received the news of the planned closure of the inner-city frequency provider. “There was always fear involved,” he said about the decision to buy and develop the area. “Can we do that as a small town? Is that even our job?” he asked and gave the direct answer: “Yes, that's exactly the city's job if the market can't handle it.”
Lots of praise and thanks from all sides
Möller found words of praise for his city administration team, which was challenged far beyond the normal level – and delivered – but also for the team from the Schlüchterner Stadtentwicklungsgesellschaft (SEG), which was developed by Werner Bensing and which has become an absolute asset and can no longer be imagined without it. Möller also highlighted the cooperation with the district, state, investors and the executing companies as particularly good. “The journey was adventurous. There were many difficult moments,” he said. There is all the more reason to celebrate now.
Klaus Diegelmann, managing director of the Werner Group, which was awarded the contract to develop the area in a structured bidding process, echoed the same sentiments. He discussed the challenging times for the construction industry, but also spoke of the courage and trust that were necessary for the success of such a major project.
Stefan Storch (architects Reith-Wehner-Storch) provided an overview of the project – from the first conversation in the town hall to get to know each other, to the development of the ensemble with the Thaler Tower – based on the former brewery – Obertor arch and commercial buildings.
District Administrator Thorsten Stolz (SPD) quoted the US actress Dottie Walters: “Success is a staircase, not a door.” This also applies to urban development, which must be carried out step by step. Now a “milestone” has been reached, but the development of Schlüchtern, “the cultural and economic center of the Bergwinkel”, is not finished, he said and praised Möller, who is leading the way and burning for his hometown. “That’s exactly what it takes,” said Stolz and concluded with an invitation: “Keep it up!”
