Columbus Centers: Well-attended event on the planned neighborhood development in Winzerla

Around 50 interested people came to the auditorium of the Friedrich Schiller elementary school in Winzerla yesterday to find out about the plans for the outdated Columbus Center. As part of the 7th meeting of the Winzerla district council, Paul Jonas Tappe from the developer RATISBONA Handelsimmobilien, Jana Margull from the architectural firm IBA GmbH and Kevin Grießl and Robert Muhs from the city of Jena's urban planning department presented the project and answered questions.

Questions from the public

Residential and commercial buildings with four, six and eleven storeys are to be built on the site of the shopping center, which is in great need of renovation. In principle, there was broad support for development at the site. Residents of the neighboring single-family homes were particularly concerned about the height of the planned high-rise building and the shadows it would cast. They asked for a shading report to be drawn up. This has not yet been carried out, as the legally stipulated distances are being observed and there is therefore no reason to believe that the healthy living and working conditions on site will be negatively affected by the project. Due to the strong response, the city is examining whether such an expert opinion should still be prepared.

There were also questions about noise pollution and possible restrictions during the construction phase, which are unavoidable. There were also concerns about a possible increase in traffic associated with the new residential and commercial spaces in the building complex. A noise and traffic report was prepared in advance, which is publicly available and examined the potential impact of the planned project. A parking space certificate was prepared on the basis of the legal requirements.

Another point was the concern that the current medical practices and the supermarket might permanently seek new premises during the construction phase and not return. To prevent this, interim solutions are currently being sought together with the tenants. This is all the more urgent as the condition of the building could make it necessary to move out before the start of construction, which will not take place until early 2027 at the earliest. The city administration is endeavoring to provide support in the search for a solution.

Public interpretation

The questions and wishes of the citizens were taken on board. They will be incorporated into the further comments received from the public and various authorities as part of the current public consultation. They will then be examined, evaluated and weighed up and, if necessary, incorporated into the project.

The draft of the project-related development plan VBB-AM 08 "Wohn- und Geschäftsquartier Friedrich-Zucker-Straße" will be available for inspection until 28.02.2025. It can be viewed both online in the town hall portal of the city of Jena and on site in the administration building Am Anger 26, 2nd floor, during the following opening hours. Please make an appointment in advance:

• Monday: 08:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 16:00
• Tuesday: 08:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 16:00
• Thursday: 08:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 18:00
• Friday: 08:00 - 12:00.

Background

The aim of the planning is to create a sustainable neighborhood development on the Columbus Center site, which is in need of redevelopment. The plan is to construct a building complex with three sections and a further building to the east, which will provide space on the first floor, second floor and part of the second floor for commercial and retail space, including doctors' surgeries and offices. Around 70 residential units of various sizes will be built on the floors above. The three parts of the western building complex will be a maximum of four, six and eleven storeys high. The building to the east will be a maximum of six storeys high. A two-storey underground parking garage for residents and guests is also planned.

The outdoor area of the site will offer a high quality of stay: Squares, outdoor seating and attractive greenery will invite people to linger and will be open to the public. A crossing will also provide direct access to the adjacent bus stop.

The Jena City Council approved the design at its meeting on 18.12.2024.