City council confirms new construction of the Winzerla meeting center on Enver-Şimşek-Platz

The city council of the city of Jena has decided to retain the new construction of the Winzerla meeting center as a "Place of Living Democracy" at Enver-Şimşek-Platz. After re-examining the arguments put forward, possible alternative locations and the citizens' petitions submitted, the previous location decision was confirmed.

The decision was preceded by two citizens' petitions. While one petition called for the project to be re-examined, another was expressly in favor of implementing the new building at the planned location. The city council has now decided to continue with the project.

Alternative locations re-examined

The city council recently re-examined whether existing municipal buildings could be used as an alternative for the meeting center. These included the former Goethe School, Anna-Siemsen-Straße 1 and Schrödingerstraße 44. However, the review confirmed the previous results: None of the locations meet the requirements in terms of location, size, cost-effectiveness and feasibility in a comparable way to the location at Enver-Şimşek-Platz.

"The meeting center should be an open place for encounters, exchange and social engagement. The re-examination has shown that the location at Enver-Şimşek-Platz offers the best conditions in terms of both urban planning and functionality. At the same time, it allows us to use the promised federal funding and create a building that is tailored to the needs of the district," says Dirk Lange, Head of Urban Development.

Strengthening the water axis as the center of the district

From the city's point of view, the location strengthens the water axis as the center of the district. Thanks to its central location and easy accessibility, the meeting center is set to become an important meeting place for clubs, initiatives and residents in the future.

Focus on sustainability and climate protection

High standards of sustainability and climate protection are to be taken into account in further planning. It will also be examined how land consumption and sealing can be minimized. For example, the positioning of the building will be further optimized with the aim of keeping the visual axis along the waterfront clear, minimizing land consumption and using areas that are already sealed wherever possible. Where interventions are unavoidable, climate-resilient replanting will enhance the surroundings.

Participation continues

The participation process with residents, associations and other interest groups will continue in parallel with the planning. The design of the building and its surroundings will also be discussed.

In addition, the city council has commissioned the administration to submit a supplementary report on the long-term operating and follow-up costs of the meeting center by the end of September 2026.

Prospects for the Goethe School

Independently of the new building, the extent to which the former Goethe School can be put to residential use in the future is to be examined. To this end, a tender for the property is currently being prepared in order to find interested parties for further development. Part of the space is to be earmarked for public use.

Architectural competition in preparation

The architectural and open space planning competition is currently being prepared. The jury meeting is scheduled for December 2026. Further planning will then begin on the basis of the selected design.