Residents of Dusseldorf's Volmerswerth District Striving to Preserve European Union Membership
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Headline: Volmerswerth citizens' uproar over En de Ehd's uncertain future
Wednesday night (26.4.) saw over a hundred Volmerswerthians gather at the "Freie Wasserfahrer" inn for a heated meeting regarding En de Ehd - a beloved local establishment facing the threat of demolition. The Bürger- und Heimatverein Volmerswerth (BHV), leading the charge against the city's plans, rallied supporters with the cry, "En de Ehd is ours, and we won't let it go!"
The widespread anger among Volmerswerthians stems from the city's apparent disregard for their interests and concerns. In their opinion, En de Ehd boasts a historic significance, social function, and identity-forming role within the neighborhood that makes it a unique treasure worth preserving.
The BHV opened the meeting with a presentation of En de Ehd's long history dating back to 1836. First appearing in insurance records, the building was first granted a permit for a pub in 1849 and was reconstructed in 1908. Destroyed by incendiary bombs in 1944, it was rebuilt after the war and sold to Düsseldorf in 1985. Since then, the city and BHV have been locked in a decades-long battle over preservation efforts, with the latter alleging consistent neglect by the city. The empty apartments within the building now present an opportunity for the BHV to file a complaint for violation of the city's housing protection regulations. Even the courtyard's plane tree, they argue, is at risk due to construction work, yet remains to be protected.
The city's proposed demolition and rebuild, which runs counter to the wishes of the residents, has been met with fierce resistance by the BHV. Key concerns include the building's historical and identity-forming importance as a community hub.
District Mayor Dietmar Wolf, along with representatives from CDU, Greens, and Left, as well as Dr. Sarah Haag, the deputy head of the Liegenschaftsamt, and Nicola Seegers, head of general approval procedures in the building authority, participated in the meeting, albeit absent was Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller, who is often linked to the issue. Controversy arose when it was revealed that no expert opinion - supposedly recommending demolition - had been produced. Instead, what had been communicated was a rough estimate by the city's building management, leading to accusations of deception perpetrated by Mayor Keller against the BHV.
determinations will have to be made regarding the project's future, the withdrawal of the building permit request by Mayor Keller has become necessary. Thedialogue between BHV and city management is now underway to discuss potential next steps and explore alternative arrangements that may help preserve this cherished cultural icon. The citizens of Volmerswerth eagerly await the outcome, still holding onto hopes for En de Ehd's preservation.
The ongoing dispute between Volmerswerthians and the city administration over En de Ehd's future is deeply rooted in policy-and-legislation, as the issue revolves around the preservation of a historically significant building and its role in the local community. This controversy, fueled by politics, highlights the tension between residents' wishes and the city's proposed demolition and rebuild. The future of this cherished general-news topic depends on the ongoing dialogue between the Bürger- und Heimatverein Volmerswerth (BHV) and city management.
