Schneider sees no danger for major Goethe apartment building project

Title: No Dice for Federal Funding Cuts on Goethe's Weimar Residence Restoration Project

Carsten Schneider, Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany, isn't breaking a sweat over securing funds for the renovation and transformation of Johann Wolfgang Goethe's abode in Weimar, especially since the UNESCO World Heritage Site is poised to begin construction in 2026. In response to budget discussions concerning federal savings, Schneider, who hails from Thuringia, expressed confidence in the project's financial backing, telling the German Press Agency, "Fret not about the Weimar project's financing, mate."

The Bundestag's budget committee pledged €17.15 million to the Klassik Stiftung Weimar to support the conservation and museum revamp of Goethe's residence, which will account for half of the project's base public funding. The commitment, however, will only be sanctioned when the 2024 federal budget is approved. Once this crucial financial clearance is in place, the Klassik Stiftung Weimar can officially inscribe the project's first implementation contracts.

Thuringia, the second public benefactor, has indicated its intention to cover the other half of the base funding in 2022. Additionally, private foundations have lined up over €10 million in support, with contributions directly linked to funding commitments from the federal and state administrations.

The restoration plans for Goethe's Weimar abode on the Frauenplan, a listed property, are currently being formulated in collaboration with Thuringian support. Scheduled for construction in the spring of 2026, it's not all smooth sailing: the Federal Government's involvement in the project has sparked controversy, with critics levelling allegations of a chess move meant to malign those protesting the scheme, even involving the likes of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe himself.

Bonus Tidbits:

1. UNESCO-geddon: Goethe's residence in Weimar, along with other iconic hotspots, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, making it a must-visit in German culture.
2. Cultural Preservation: Weimar underwent extensive renovations following World War II, nurturing its architectural and cultural heritage.

[Citation references omitted for brevity]