© dpa
The plans for the construction of the new stadium and the conversion of the adjacent Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg have taken a step forward.
The Berlin Senate approved the draft development plan, which will now be forwarded to the House of Representatives for further consultation and decision-making.
According to building senator Christian Gaebler (SPD), the plan forms the basis for the construction of a 20,000-seat stadium, but also for a new sports hall, a meeting center for associations and several playing fields for different sports. The current gymnastics meadow is to be retained in part, as is an avenue of plane trees. All in all, there will be 38 more trees on the site than before, explained Gaebler. In the draft for the development plan, proof had also been provided that the project could be implemented with regard to species protection.
Gaebler put the estimated costs for the entire new sports park at 263.4 million euros. In order to stay under 300 million euros, the project has been slimmed down in some areas, said Gaebler. The senator assumes that the construction of the new stadium can begin in 2026 after the final decision on the development plan and the demolition of the old sports facility from the GDR era. The stadium could be ready by 2028, and all other projects on the site by 2030.
A month ago, asbestos building materials were unexpectedly discovered during demolition work, the existence of which was previously unknown. According to Gaebler, it is presumably rubble from the construction period that was probably simply disposed of in cavities at the time. The Senate therefore assumes that the construction company will dispose of the pollutants properly - in coordination with the responsible state authorities.