From Hildburg Bruns
After the car ban at 500 meters, Friedrichstrasse could also be closed to bicycles. Central Mayor Stephanie Remlinger (Greens) advocated this. “If it were up to me, there would only be pedestrians here. That would bring more comfort.”
On the other hand, it was uncomfortable for the Green politicians at the meeting of the “Save Friedrichstrasse” initiative.
“The actions of the Greens have caused considerable damage. Will the district pay for it now?” asked businessman Rainer Boldt. Another resident reports that ambulances cannot get through because of the seating on the asphalt.
Panel discussion in the Maximilians restaurant with from left: Gerrit Buchhorn (Dehoga), Antje Osterburg (planning office), Stephanie Remlinger (mayor), Frank Henkel (business district Mitte), Almut Neumann (city councillor), Anja Schröder (wine merchant), Stefan Meinhold (trade association) Photo: Hildburg Bruns
The responsible city councilor Almut Neumann (Greens) announced that she wanted to meet quickly with the new transport senator Manja Schreiner (CDU) in order to achieve a structural change as a pedestrian zone. But she made it clear: “We are not turning everything back to zero. We’ll see what can happen in the summer.”
On the other hand, Gerrit Buchhorn from Dehoga: “You have to be honest and end the declassification of Friedrichstrasse for traffic and develop a new concept.”
Residents follow the panel discussion Photo: Hildburg Bruns
Wine merchant Anja Schröder, who had obtained a brief reopening before the permanent closure, at least by lawsuit, demanded from Green politician Neumann: “Take the magnifying glass off this street! In this narrow canyon of houses without trees, there will be no quality of stay!” Instead, traffic should be calmed around Gendarmenmarkt. A request from several speakers.
Mayor Remlinger admitted: “500 meters of Friedrichstrasse will not save the climate – that is not decisive for the war.“
However, the district has now turned on a planning office. Antje Osterburg presented initial ideas for the next few weeks “to conjure up atmosphere on the street”: a shopping night at Galeries Lafayette, a tango stage at the Fête de la Musique, French film nights, a CSD warm-up, a street Food festival with insects. “The road could only be closed temporarily for a day or two for this,” a resident called out after the enumeration.
There are also problems with the parallel Charlottenstraße as a cycle street with opposing one-way streets. Attorney Marcel Templin is considering filing a suit for inaction against the district because he still hasn’t been given access to the files. Because clients, two gallery owners, have lodged an objection to the newly erected traffic signs.