With more decisiveness and above all, ASSEN wants to raise the Stadskwartier housing program. That is why the municipality, with unanimous consent of the council, is pumping 122 million euros in it. The aim is to build at least 1350 homes before the year 2040 in Stadscentrum, Havenkwartier, and intermediate area.
The Stadskwartier comprises the city center, where 500 homes must come through transformation of shops. The Havenkwartier is planned in the outdated industrial area along the Havenkade, with 650 to 1000 houses. And along the edges of Veemarktplein, renamed Stadsboulevard, there will be around 300 homes.
Assen has been redeveloping these areas for years, but it is going to be syrupy. This is because plans of project developers and landowners do not match what the municipality wants.
The Asseleyn plan with 67 homes, which has been built on the Veenmarktrein, has been ready for a few years. And currently the former Acesa site is being built, with 111 homes, including a high residential tower.
But otherwise building around the Havenkade is not yet concrete in sight. And also in the city center it has been waiting for years for the transformation of the former V&D department store in a residential complex, and housing on the north side of ‘t Forum. Assen now wants to speed up the housing program and take a more active role. And that is why she is now very deep in the pouch.
The municipality will put the money in an urban investment fund, among other things. This is intended for making strategic purchases of locations. For example, she wants to keep important redevelopments more in her own hands and not be at the mercy of the Nukens of property owners or project developers.
On behalf of Stadspartij Plop, councilor Kees Boonzaaijer still put a critical comment on the substantial investment. According to Plop, private parties and project developers have been leading for far too long. “After not having responded adequately enough for years, we are now being presented with the bill. We have to save what can be saved.”
Boonzaaijer asked himself if what exactly will change in the approach, if the municipality itself is in control. “Who is leading, the municipality? Or is it still suffering?” But according to Plop, doing nothing is not an option. “We stand with our backs against the wall.”
According to Alderman Cor Staal (CU) of Woningbouw, with this millions of acceleration program “, Assen will look really different in the coming five years”.
Assen even wants to build 10,000 homes for the future, it has been pronounced in the Asser ambition agenda, and also 5,000 jobs. The provincial capital is therefore aiming for being included in the announced regional pans, which the empire has to build more. “Next Wednesday responsible Minister Mona Keijzer will come to Assen with the king, visiting the Stadskwartier. Then we will clear her our ambition again.”