Save the old tax office! Foundation fights against demolition in Saarbrücken

Save the old tax office! Foundation fights against demolition in Saarbrücken

in Saarbrücken it is bubbling: The German Foundation for Monument Protection (DSD) has turned in an open letter to Prime Minister Anke Rehlinger and the Minister of Department Jakob von Weizsäcker and Christine Streichert-Clivot and vehemently demands the preservation of the former tax office. According to a report by Saarbrücker Zeitung , the DSD is concerned about the current plans of the state government, the demolition permit for 1949 In 1952 building designed by Walter Wundrack. Skosney, board member of the DSD, criticizes the “disassembly” of monument protection through state authorities and accuses the state government of violating the monument protection law, from which it demands compliance for private owners.

The DSD has launched an online petition in a further step that is directed against the demolition of the tax office. This petition, which can be supported at any time on the website of the German Foundation for Monument Protection, has four central demands to the Saarland State Chancellery and the Ministeries:

• Correction of the decision to demolish the former tax office.
• Removal of the building due to climate protection reasons not to endanger the goals of the state government by 2030.
• Transparent public procedure that takes into account the community of citizens and the monument and climate protection.
• Avoidance of the expiry of the energy of around 30 million kWh in the reinforced concrete structure.

The old tax office is considered a significant testimony of the French reconstruction years on the Saar. Nevertheless, it is in the sharp criticism, since the decision to tear it down in favor of a new office building was made in transparent and without the statutory integration of the state monument. The entire board of the state monument council resigned in protest. To this end, Skoschelny explains that confidence in the politically responsible must be re -gained, since such a "disassembly" of any monument protection must be prevented immediately in order to prevent the falling state of the building.

The pressure grows

With the support of organizations such as Arbakus, Bund, Bunt.saar, Fridays for Future Saarland and Greenpeace Saar, the DSD mobilizes for the petition. The signatures collected can possibly be decisive to make politics to rethink and to initiate a sustainable dialogue regarding monument protection. It becomes clear that climate protection and monument protection should go hand in hand instead of being played against each other.

So what remains to be done? Support the call of the DSD and request the preservation of this valuable cultural heritage. This could not only save a piece of history in Saarbrücken, but also to make an important contribution to sustainable urban design. The DSD sees itself as a duty, and not for no reason: a responsible handling of historical buildings is both a sign of respect for the past and a step in the right direction for the future.

For more information about the petition and how you can join, visit the page of the German Foundation for Monument Protection .