The area behind the town hall in Exloo will become available. The Municipal Executive would like to build housing, parking and an exercise and meeting place here. Residents can say on Tuesday evening how they see this.
Football club HOVC for Exloo, Odoorn and Valthe is moving to the Sports Park in Odoorn, meaning the football field will disappear. The sports park is now being renovated.
There is room behind the town hall for living, parking and exercise, says councilor Henk Zwiep. As far as he is concerned, the priority for this place is first living, then parking and then exercise. When it comes to housing, Zwiep mainly thinks of young people and starters. “We really see a need there.”
As far as parking is concerned, it is especially busy in the summer. And now that construction of the Hallenhoes has started, those temporary parking spaces will no longer be available. Zwiep thinks that parking pressure will increase further when the Hallenhoes is there and visitors also come there.
In addition, Zwiep wants sports and exercise to remain possible in Exloo. “A basketball court, for example,” the councilor mentions. Or an exercise garden, matching the primary school playground.
Coming up with ideas
The plot of land behind the town hall will become available during the new football season, Zwiep thinks. There are no concrete plans for its implementation yet. The three functions can all be given a third of the space, or one more than the other. That also depends on what residents of Exloo say, just like for example what kind of houses or what kind of sports opportunities residents would like.
During the information evening, three tables will be set up in the hall of the town hall: living, parking, exercise. There are some skeptical questions among those present; Will the homes really be affordable? Will the homes go to residents of Exloo? And are the wishes of residents really reflected in the municipality’s plan?
About a hundred people walk past the tables to write down their ideas and put them in the bus: starter homes, senior homes, flexible housing, tiny houses and social housing are passed by.
And it is written that starter homes are preferred rather than parking spaces; Parking may also be possible (partly) outside the center. Road safety is also important for residents who opt for an attractive-looking exercise garden or a walking and cycling route.
Affordable houses
“We want houses,” say Mirjan (23) and Janouk (19) from Exloo. They write down ‘affordable starter homes’. Then 2.5 tonnes is actually already on the (too) expensive side. “We would be surprised if these turned out to be decent amounts.”
Henny (58) would also like to see affordable housing for young people on the land behind the town hall, ranging from 2 to 2.5 tons. And rental prices below the rental subsidy. “There are many young people who want to stay here and don’t get a chance.”
All submitted ideas will be bundled by the municipality after the residents’ evening. “We want to use that information to come up with scenarios and discuss them with the village council in Exloo and the entrepreneurs,” says Zwiep. He hopes to be able to submit a plan to the city council early next year. Quite fast, so: “I want to keep up the pace.”