For a long time there has been talk about building a new multifunctional hall in Frankfurt. That this is needed for sports and cultural events, about it all agree. Where it is to be built, on the other hand, is repeatedly the cause of delays, heated discussions and various speculations. After the project at Kaiserlei failed and the plans for a hall near the airport never got beyond the planning stage, the construction of a new multifunctional hall on the P9 parking lot at the Waldstadion has been under discussion for some time. And here the city now seems to really want to do nails with heads.
Because last Friday, the magistrate of the city of Frankfurt decided to subject this possible location to an in-depth examination. "After we presented a feasibility study for the site in March, we were now able to reach a consensus to enter into the in-depth investigation for the site. This is because we have already had building rights here since 2006," reports Sports and Planning Director Mike Josef. "From my point of view, there is no alternative to this, as there is no planning law for the other sites under discussion - and thus no multifunctional arena can be built elsewhere in the city in the foreseeable future."
The hall could be built on the site of the former cycling track, which is now used as a parking lot. P9 is also currently used repeatedly for various events such as the Frankfurt Oktoberfest. Based on the available feasibility study, plans for a multifunctional arena for 13,500 spectators are now to be advanced. The lead company is Sportpark Stadion Frankfurt am Main Gesellschaft für Projektentwicklungen mbH (SSF), which is wholly owned by the city. Planning funds in the amount of 750,000 euros will be made available for this purpose. Resolutions to this effect are to be passed by the city council in the near future. All further decisions on the construction of the hall at the stadium will result from a follow-up resolution.
"It is important to us to now create the ecological and economic foundations in particular, as well as to clarify the urban planning and traffic conditions so that the multifunctional arena can be built on P9," says City Treasurer Bastian Bergerhoff. "In parallel, possible award and realization models for the multifunctional arena are being examined. Our goal is the timely realization of an arena for the playing operations of Frankfurt's professional teams as well as for national and international sporting and cultural events."
Deputy City Treasurer Eileen O'Sullivan, emphasizes that the professional clubs, other stakeholders and also citizens will be involved in the further planning and investigations. "This is important because with the arena we want to expand both the sporting and the cultural range of offers in the city, especially for the people of Frankfurt. We need to close the gap in venues so that the city and region can develop successfully for the many citizens with an affinity for sport and culture."
"In the national and international competition between cities, the arena is to become a sporting, cultural and economic location factor," says Head of Economic Affairs Stephanie Wüst. "Construction and operation will create jobs and generate sustainable added value for the region. The arena thus becomes an indispensable prerequisite for the successful and economically sound further development of the teams and the sports city of Frankfurt."
The P9 site is owned by the city and leased to SSF, which has concluded a commercial lease agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt GmbH for the use of the space. It is located in the area covered by development plan No. 846 - Sportpark Waldstadion, which specifies "SO Sportpark" for P9. In order to secure the sporting and commercial use in the long term, the operation and maintenance of the arena is to be financed primarily from the playing operations of the professional teams and, in addition, through the marketing of cultural events and other events.
