In his speech, Lord Mayor Frank Frühauf pointed out that the population had already expressed a desire for more green spaces in the city center during the public participation in the federal-state program 'Active City and District Centers'. The topic of water should also be brought back to life. "On Urban Development Day 2019, we then called on citizens to help with the design as part of an ideas workshop. Our aim was to take into account as many user needs as possible." This was followed by a lengthy planning period with numerous changes. Above all, the requirements of the federal program "Adaptation of urban spaces to climate change", through which the measure is being funded, had to be taken into account. Mayor Frühauf thanked Dr. Joe Weingarten, member of the Bundestag, who had campaigned for the city of Idar-Oberstein to benefit from this funding.
"I am delighted to finally give the go-ahead for the implementation of the construction project today with the official ground-breaking ceremony," emphasized the Lord Mayor. The actual work will start at the beginning of June and, according to the current schedule, should be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2024. "We will then probably be able to celebrate the opening of the redesigned Helmut-Kohl-Europaplatz on the next Urban Development Day in May 2024." The costs for the project were originally calculated at 605,000 euros. Due to the massive increases in construction prices, they now amount to 740,000 euros, with around 545,000 euros being covered by the federal government as part of the funding program.
The redesign of Helmut-Kohl-Europlatz comprises several sub-areas. In order to make the Idarbach visible and tangible again, the bank and embankment zone will first be provided with four rows of limestone seating steps. The area will be revitalized in terms of landscaping and native shrubs will be planted to create a near-natural image of the Idarbach and the park. The semi-circular basin of the existing fountain is currently bordered by a steep grass embankment that cannot be used. The facility and the paving will be renovated as part of the project. This area will also be transformed into an attractive meeting and resting point for the public with a surrounding seating step. A fitness station for adults will also be installed. The problem of climate change is particularly evident in the lawn and playground areas, which is why these areas will be planted with climate-resilient plants. In addition, the areas will be remodeled, two separate play areas for children with double swings, a teepee with slide and natural stone blocks as seating steps as well as a sand play area edged with limestone blocks are planned. The existing park benches will be replaced with attractive modern benches. The measures will significantly enhance the entire area, and the inner-city flora and fauna in particular will benefit in many ways from the redesign.