Progress is being made in tackling the dilapidated former building of insurer De Witte along the Griendtsveenweg in Hoogeveen. The municipality has given the owner the green light to convert into an apartment complex.
The building has been causing irritation among local politicians for some time. This is stated in a letter from the council to the municipal council. The council answers questions from GroenLinks-PvdA and Municipal Interests about the building.
The parties are concerned about the condition of the building and believe that it is becoming increasingly dilapidated. That would not benefit the appearance of the neighborhood. According to the groups, destruction has been done to the site and there has even been a fire. According to them, this makes the building look increasingly worse.
The municipal council recognizes that image. According to the mayor and aldermen, the current state of the building detracts from the appearance of the neighborhood. The municipality says it is aware of the vandalism and the fire incident.
Hoogeveen states that the owner of the building has reported the incident to the police several times. He would also have kept in touch with the municipality about this. However, according to the council, the owner is responsible for appropriate measures around the building.
Yet politicians mainly express disappointment about how long the situation has been going on. The plans for redevelopment have been in place since 2021 and have been adjusted several times in the following years. Construction has not yet started. A permit has now been in place since April 1.
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