Future of the Radolfzell Hospital: preservation or demolition?

Future of the Radolfzell Hospital: preservation or demolition?

Something is happening in Radolfzell! The former hospital, which was closed two years ago for cost reasons, now has a future perspective. On June 27, 2025, representatives from the region, including District Administrator Zeno Danner and Mayor Simon Gröger, met to discuss the next steps regarding the property. It is agreed that the historic part from 1906 and the southern bed wing should be preserved, while the remaining parts of the building will soon be razed to the ground.

This decision comes after intensive reviews by external experts who concluded that a total demolition was not necessary. However, the high cost of maintaining other parts proved uneconomical. In total, the estimated costs for the gutting and partial demolition are around 3.1 million euros. Half of the financing is to be borne by the district of Konstanz and the city of Radolfzell, which also represents compensation for past investments. The district plans to take on up to 2 million euros to make the financing stable, which could significantly advance local development.

The future of the area

The specific plan for using the former clinic site is still up in the air. Possible scenarios include a mix of medical practices, educational institutions, offices or even living space. The city has already placed a clear focus on medical-related reuse in order to address both the supply-related and housing needs of its citizens. The connection to services and integration into local public services also play a major role here.

It is no secret that rural regions in particular, such as Radolfzell, are often confronted with challenges in medical and nursing care. As the Federal Agency for Civic Education notes in its reports, rural areas often have fewer health care facilities, which results in long travel distances, especially for specialized medical services. In Radolfzell, the population expects high-quality healthcare and hopes for innovative solutions to close the existing gaps.

The next step

Those responsible are now planning the strategy process for realizing the usage ideas. The involvement of citizens is of great importance. The leasehold building right is also expected to be transferred back to the Radolfzell Hospital Fund, which should be done without any encumbrances and cost-neutrally. In order to push these plans forward, District Administrator Danner, Mayor Gröger and his Singen counterpart Bernd Häusler will contact the Foundation and Municipal Supervision of the Freiburg Regional Council.

The city of Radolfzell is also planning to withdraw from the Hegau-Bodensee-Klinikum funding association, which is a further step towards independence and independent resource management. The future of the former hospital could have a far-reaching impact on local healthcare and quality of life for the people in Radolfzell.

You can find more information on this topic in the reports from SWR, Strong into the future and bpb.