Elbphilharmonie Hamburg: Architect cannot exclude structural problems
According to media reports the celebrity architect Pierre de Meuron said a week after topping the Elbe Philharmonic that he was extremely concerned about the serious deficiencies in the building: “The problems with the concrete work for the Great Hall are especially worrying to us as they affect the acoustics, and at worst, the structural integrity. I have never in my career experienced comparable problems to the ones found here.” A documentation made by the architectural company lists 4,500 deficiencies in the building. What matters now is that the shortcomings are dealt with quickly and thoroughly. The building group Hochtief and the constructor, the urban project company ReGe, rule out a threat to the structural safety, they say.
New plans for expansion of the Heidelberg Stadthalle
According to media reports, revised plans for the annex were presented three weeks before the Referendum on the expansion of the Stadthalle. The box-shaped building that will be added to the Stadthalle on the banks of the Neckar River in the old part of the city and connected by a glass connecting building is now shorter than previously planned. In addition, the windows will be wider. The aim of the adaptation was to give the building more lightness and flexibility, they say.
Stadthalle Bad Blankenburg in future also responsible for tourism
As the Tourism Association Bad Blankenburg was dissolved on 30th June 2010 it has now reportedly been decided to transfer these tasks to the operating company of the Stadhalle. The future tourist office will be set up in the foyer of the Stadthalle.
Emsland-Arena Lingen receives many assurances for funding – but realization remains uncertain
The project opposite the existing Emslandhallen in Lingen will reportedly cost € 25 million and is intended to meet the diverse demands for events. Construction financing commitments for € 5 million are confirmed from the district as well as from the county and € 10 million have been secured from the budget of the city of Lingen. There has until now been no commitment for the remaining € 5 million, which is to come from the regional economy.
Nevertheless, the realization of the project seems uncertain. Due to a drastic slump in trade income tax revenues, the deficit of the city increased from 3.3 to 20.3 million Euros.
Kassel Tourist now known as Kassel Marketing
The new brand will now combine tourism activities, cultural marketing and business development according to media reports, to profile Kassel more clearly as a worthwhile travel destination and shopping city. To cover the new tasks, the budget was increased by 100,000 Euros and now amounts to € 4.6 million. 2.6 million Euros will have to be generated by the company itself through events. After the renovation of the Kongress Palais Stadthalle it should yield that profit. So far, the annual subsidy is 200.000 Euros.
Landesmesse Stuttgart is looking for expansion in the next few years
According to the CEO Ulrich Kromer an extension from the current 105,200 square metres gross floor area to 140,000 square metres would be conceivable. According to media reports it would then be possible to host between 10 and 15 more trade shows per year in Stuttgart. For the year 2012 there are already only a few slots still available, they say.
Press splinters
In Filzmoos (Austria) a new event hall with 900 sqm of floor space is being built for 2.4 million Euros.
Laufenburg (Switzerland) is planning to build a new city hall for 4.05 million Swiss francs (2.84 million Euros).
In Vallendar (RLP) a new city hall for up to 800 banquet style seats is to be built by 2013.
