The Arsenaal, the historic building in the city center of Coevorden that houses the Stedelijk Museum and the library, is open to the public again. “There is currently no danger to visitors.”
This is what director Evelien Wieling of the Stedelijk Museum reports. Last Friday, the seventeenth-century building was suddenly closed. Structural research by the monument guard showed that cracks in the walls had become larger in a short time. The building did not have to be evacuated, but it did have to close its doors immediately.
“The worst damage was urgently repaired this weekend,” says Wieling. “In addition, arches and beams on the ground floor are now being propped up. The ceiling with the first floor of the building above rests on these beams.” The work is now aimed at preventing more damage and guaranteeing safety for visitors.
Additional structural investigations into the condition of the building and the foundation will begin early next year, Wieling reports. “First of all, it must be determined what causes the cracks to form and how it is possible that the cracks have developed further.” Based on these studies, it should then become clear what needs to be done next at the Arsenal. According to Wieling, the building is now fully accessible again, even for people in wheelchairs.
Monumentenwacht Drenthe has the state of maintenance of the building checked every year, due to its age. The cracks in the walls had previously come to light, but had now grown larger in a relatively short time. The building was renovated in 2012.
In the longer term, there are plans in the Arsenaal to expand the Stedelijk Museum, but first the library must move to another location. There is no clarity about this yet.