1/2 In a year’s time, Walplein in Oss will look very different than when the V&D was still there
The municipality of Waalwijk and Someren will receive 26 million euros from the government to revive the city center. The money is intended, among other things, for facade renovations, better walking routers, more seating areas and greenery. Perhaps those municipalities can learn something from Oss. The increasingly boring center was tackled there years ago. The municipality of Oss paid for all kinds of projects from its own pocket to turn the empty city into a vibrant center again. And it worked.
About seven years ago, the city center of Oss looked a lot less attractive. The municipality decided to put a stop to it. The center was renovated with millions of euros, says former councilor Joop van Orsouw. “The shopkeepers, city council and project developer really stuck their necks out for Oss back then. We still had money from The Hague, but we had to do something to prevent the deterioration here.”
“Where people are, people want to be.”
The new Walkwartier will soon be built, containing 128 apartments, shops, restaurants and a library. It will be located on the site of the gigantic V&D building, which went bankrupt in 2016. “A very bad tooth was pulled here, because the V&D was the ugliest building in Oss,” says center manager Jack van Lieshout. The Walkwartier will increase considerably in height by fifteen floors, but this will leave room for more greenery on the ground floor.
The Gallery is also getting a makeover. The covered shopping street in the center of Osse was half empty. The owner of the Gallery will replace the remaining retail spaces with apartments and everything will have a completely different look.
Marieke van Nuland has had a men’s fashion store in Oss for years and has seen the city slowly empty. She sees the Walkwartier as a huge improvement. According to the entrepreneur, the apartments and catering establishments create more excitement in the city. “Where there are people, more people want to be,” van Nuland explains. “All the measures do not immediately solve all vacancies, but all the investments give you the best chance to fill the remaining retail properties.”
“The facades were hideous.”
The municipality of Oss did not only invest in new construction, says center manager Van Lieshout. The streetscape was also renovated. “In the 1970s, a lot of construction had to be done quickly. The facades of the shop buildings consisted of ugly panels that no longer looked good after ten years.” Entire streets have now been fitted with new facades.
Former councilor Van Orsouw has a tip for Waalwijk and Someren, who will soon receive money to make the center more attractive. “Dare to create something beautiful with a good architect and project developer.”
Van Lieshout believes that Waalwijk and Someren should try to improve centers together with both retailers and local property owners. “Something like this only works if you do it together and everyone feels involved.”
Both men agree that a good village or city center is indispensable. “Without a lively center, the city will die. It is of vital importance,” says Van Orsouw firmly. The center manager also thinks the same way. “People from a village or city come together in the center for fun and events. Make sure that people continue to enjoy coming there,” says Van Lieshout.
