Alleged catastrophic collapse: criticism mounts over project's execution

Alleged catastrophic collapse: criticism mounts over project's execution

In the heart of the city, makeshift abodes became home to folks battling severe drug addiction and mental health issues, as revealed by a city representative. To tackle this pressing issue during the chilly winter months, this use of the site was declared illegal. Ordnungsdezernentin Britta Zur was content with the strategy: "Our proactive approach of engaging social workers prior to the operation has proven effective." Law enforcers checked the inhabitants of the site, providing them aid and housing alternatives.

Since early November, the city had been warning the residents of the construction pit about an upcoming eviction. They were offered multiple chances to join Düsseldorf's homeless assistance network and accommodate in city shelters. Thanks to the extensive pre-eviction work, the number of people on the site significantly decreased. At the start of the eviction, only five individuals were found on the premises.

Helmut Schneider, spokesperson for the Alliance for Affordable Housing in Düsseldorf, shares: "Catella purchased the site from the post in 2015. However, construction never commenced. In 2019, Catella sold the majority of its project company, including the plots, at a profit. Now, the part belongs to the financially troubled Adler Group. Despite Düsseldorf's urgent need for new apartments, Adler demonstrated no interest in construction but rather focused on hiking property prices." The city persistently advocated but ultimately watched helplessly as no action was taken on the site: no forced measures, fines, or threats were administered. "Clearly, the state, city, and public are powerless against corporations. On the other hand, when it comes to poor, homeless, and drug-addicted individuals, the state and police can intervene." The idle, unoccupied part of Grand Central for eight years now stands as a symbol of political failure. "The city should construct apartments itself, not leave it to private investors. Housing isn't a commodity!"

Katja Goldberg-Hammon, SPD councilwoman in Oberbilk, stresses: "Solving the Grand Central problem necessitates social and political interventions. Isolated law enforcement measures won't suffice here. Simply forcing people away won't resolve the issue, as they'll merely scatter throughout the city and become challenging to reach for outreach support."

The search results don't provide information about the current status of the Grand Central site in Düsseldorf or its delay causes. Yet, there are advancements in the construction sector, including the leasing activity at New York's 10 Grand Central and Berlin's Catella-developed mixed-use project, offering residential units as part of an initiative to address housing needs in Germany. broader Germany. Despite these developments, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for any delays in Düsseldorf without specific details. Consulting local news sources or officials could provide precise information about the Grand Central site in Düsseldorf.

1. The city councilwoman Katja Goldberg-Hammon suggests that addressing the Grand Central issue requires more than just law enforcement measures, emphasizing the need for social and political interventions to tackle mental health issues and homelessness effectively.
2. Helmut Schneider, spokesperson for the Alliance for Affordable Housing in Düsseldorf, points out the potential for the Grand Central site to contribute to solving the housing crisis, expressing the importance of considering housing not just as a commodity but as a basic human need for health and wellness.

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