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Dispute over parking spaces in Offenbach: Citizens defend themselves against displacement!
Dispute over the parking space concept in Offenbach: Residents are demanding changes and preservation of parking spaces in Bürgel and Bieber.
Dispute over parking spaces in Offenbach: Citizens defend themselves against displacement!
Things are really bubbling up in the Offenbach district of Cologne: the new parking space concept for the Bieber and Bürgel districts is already attracting the displeasure of local residents. At the public consultation that took place recently, city officials explained that the plans could no longer be changed. Mayor Felix Schwenke (SPD) and two administrative employees answered questions from citizens and had to answer heated questions. Many residents are outraged at the prospect that parking in their neighborhoods could become even more difficult in the future. In Bürgel in particular, there are fears that the concept will increase parking pressure and make finding a parking space a real challenge. Op-Online reports that residents in the Bieber-Nord district report blocked paths and a lack of parking space.
The newly planned zones in the parking space concept are intended to manage the core areas of the two districts more efficiently, according to the city administration. But what exactly should that look like? A key point of criticism is the concern among residents about the availability of commuter parking spaces on the S-Bahn and the costs of parking on their own doorstep. Many of them feel left alone with the information and would like more transparency and involvement in the decision-making process.
Petition against the parking space concept
The initiators of the petition are calling for a revision of the parking space concept and criticizing the fact that citizens and businesses were not actively involved in the decision-making process. A moratorium on the implementation of the plans in Langstrasse should be observed until the concepts have been extensively revised in order to ensure the balance between environmental policy goals and the economic viability of the retailers.
Resignation and disappointment among the residents
Tempers are heated and frustration is growing among the affected citizens. At the “Mayor on Site” event it became clear that many residents found the city leader’s words to be unhelpful. The reference to the historical “Prussian Garage Ordinance” and the linking of the parking space key to the development plan were not listened to. Residents feel ignored and resigned in view of the financial burdens that the new concept could entail.
The city of Offenbach apparently has no prospect of additional citizen participation in the parking space concept, which further exacerbates the situation. Everyone involved agrees: a solution must be found that meets both the needs of the residents and the economic interests of the companies based there.
It remains to be seen how the planning will continue and whether the citizens' movements will be successful. The road is definitely rockier - a good hand would be required in the coming negotiations.