Basel residents vote on main barracks building
In September of this year, the Grand Council of the canton of Bsel-Stadt said yes to the renovation and conversion of the main barracks building into a cultural and creative center. The voters will now decide on February 12 whether the renovation will go ahead.
The structure of the barracks building is outdated and no longer meets today's requirements. The refurbishment is intended to enable a new, flexible type of use with fixed-term rental contracts. The main building will then provide space for cultural, creative and social activities.
The long-needed renovation and conversion of the main barracks building will cost CHF 44.6 million. Of this, CHF 39.9 million has been budgeted only for the overall structural renovation and conversion of the main barracks building. The canton writes that these costs are justified in view of the structurally challenging situation, the value of the listed building, the poor condition of the building and the benefits for Kleinbasel.
On 21 September 2016, the Grand Council approved the complete renovation of the main barracks building and its conversion into a cultural and creative center and approved the expenditure for the construction project. A referendum was held against the decision of the Grand Council.
