The renovation of Stadsvilla De Drommedaar in the Emmer Center is twice as expensive. There must be 7 tons on top of the previously determined credit of 6.5 tons. The bucket fractions react crowded during the committee meeting tonight.
The Drommedaar still served as a restaurant until two years ago, but then went bankrupt. The municipality then decided to renovate the building, but more money has to be added due to, among other things, wage and material costs.
The modern extension behind the building has since been demolished to make way for new construction to be realized. Since then it has been waiting for the sequel.
Alderman Albert Jan Jacobs expects the rental income to be cost -effective in this case. In any case, he was allowed to explain it to the political groups, all of which responded critically. Because it is not the first time that the college asks for more money for the project. At the Kunstcentrum renovated shark basin (Diep) and at Cultuurhuis Facet this was also the case.
Wim Moinat (SP) did not mention the situation, but a hefty exceeding. “We get it, it is a defining building that fits in. But then keep a grip on finances. How do we know that it will not be any more? This gives too much uncertainty.” Moinat was also worried about the scenario that ultimately no operator is found. Because what does the municipality do with the building?
D66 spoke of a devilish dilemma. “We want to increase the attraction of the entrance area of the Rensenpark, a park that is slowly but surely running out,” said Martine Stulp. She mentioned the departure of Loods13, Twessers and the children’s farm. “Tenants have to cough up 5000 to 6000 euros in rent per month to cover everything.”
Will that be fine, she wondered. “It cannot be explained for a park that runs out,” she repeated again. Just like Leo Hoogenberg (Wakker Emmen), she was curious about the option to sell and the possible yield.
The PVV spoke of poor financial preparation. Klaas Bosma party leader wondered aloud if it could all go out. “As a carpenter, I once contributed to renovations of the De Drommedaar. It was already old stuff then and it is probably even worse now.” Too risky and too uncertain, he ruled.
Incidentally, Rene Wittendorp (CDA) Bosma corrected on the old meuk comment. The Drommedaar burned down completely in 2012 and was then rebuilt. This is therefore a fairly young building, according to the CDA leader.
With regard to the sale, Jacobs could be briefly about: that is not going to happen. “We want to keep control in and around the Rensenpark. For that reason, we want to own three city villas (in addition to the Drommedaar also the Hospershuis and De Lindenhof).” He did, however, indicate what a possible sale would yield: between 1.6 and 1.9 million euros.
Regarding the extra costs: that has all largely merged with demolition. When the plans for new construction were submitted to a contractor, it soon became apparent that the original 6.5 tonnes is not sufficient. “Only the frame, the roof and installation work already cost 3 tons.”
No shortage of interest, says Jacobs. Moreover, the municipality does not go with the first to the table. The interest must be serious. So in terms of experience and credit, some weight must be placed in the scale, says Jacobs. Because the new extension is delivered hull. “The costs for a new kitchen and inventory is up to the operator.”
The answers did not really seem to convince the different groups. Whether the council will still go with it must be apparent at the end of this month. Then the final decision follows.