Senate approves transport concept
©IMAGO
Union Berlin must show a willingness to compromise on the way to expanding the stadium. Due to the traffic situation around the An der Alten Försterei stadium, the Köpenickers have to reduce the initially planned capacity of 40,500 spectators. Union had presented a transport concept with a shuttle service to bring the planned number of visitors to and from the stadium, but this was rejected by the Berlin transport administration in mid-September. In the second attempt, the Senate has now passed the adapted concept.
The Eiserne are now only planning for 34,500 places. “I am pleased about the Senate’s quick and positive reaction to our proposal. The temporary waiver of a larger capacity is painful, but we have to make rapid progress with the expansion in order to remain competitive. Our goal remains an old forestry company with 40,500 visitors, even if we will only achieve this in a later stage,” explained club president Dirk Zingler.
The structure should remain the same despite the capacity adjustment, which would increase the number of more expensive seats so that the new building remains a “zero-sum game” for the club. Zingler also wants to stick to the current schedule. Union wants to move to the Olympic Stadium at the end of 2026 and return to the completed new building at the end of 2027. The people of Köpenick have been waiting for planning permission to begin the renovation for eight years. With the approval of the traffic concept, the development plan process can finally be continued quickly. The Alte Försterei currently offers space for 22,012 spectators; in the 2023/24 season the Eisernen had already moved to the Olympic Stadium to take part in the Champions League for the first time.
“The great sporting successes of 1. FC Union Berlin radiate far beyond the city limits. Our Berlin club in the top division also deserves a stadium suitable for the first division, in which international opponents can also be welcomed in a dignified setting. We have found a workable compromise for the traffic concept in good discussions with Union. This means that the planning for the stadium and their implementation can be continued. The expansion of the stadium capacity to the The originally targeted number is not off the table. We will continue to talk,” explains Ute Bonde, Berlin’s Senator for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment.