Within a few weeks it should become clear how extensive the damage is to the Arsenaal, the historic building in the city center of Coevorden, which houses the Stedelijk Museum and the library. “Once we have a report, we will have to think about next steps.”
This is what director Evelien Wieling of the Stedelijk Museum says. A month ago, the seventeenth-century building was shut down after large cracks were discovered in the walls. Cracks were already there, but according to experts, they had become larger in too short a time. The building did not have to be evacuated, but it did have to close its doors immediately. After emergency repairs, during which the beam structure was propped up, the building was reopened to the public a few days later.
“In recent weeks, Monumentenwacht employees have been investigating the damage and its origins,” says Wieling. “We expect more clarity in the short term, then we will know where we stand.” Thanks to the emergency repairs, the building is now safe and accessible without obstacles, she emphasizes.
What should be done with the monumental building then depends on the architectural investigation. “As soon as we know more, we will look into this, together with the municipality of Coevorden.”
The municipality owns the historic building. The museum has had plans for a long time to expand the exhibition space in the building, but this requires construction measures. “Depending on the situation that has now arisen, that process could now be accelerated, but we don’t know that yet,” says Wieling. The Arsenal was renovated for the last time in 2012.