Securing the Old Mint: CDUsolidifies Berlin's Cultural Heart
CDU Declares Permanent Preservation of Alte Münze as a Cultural Landmark - CDU Announces Permanent Protection of Old Coin as a Cultural Artifact
Get ready, culture enthusiasts! The iconic Old Mint in Berlin's downtown area will continue to pulse with creativity and innovations for the long haul. The State government's decision to lease significant portions of this historical minting facility at Molkenmarkt to Spreewerkstätten, a powerhouse in event organization and club management, extends for at least two decades, with the opportunity for an additional decade-long extension.
Spreewerkstätten has been making waves by using this location as both a club and a hub for numerous projects, graciously offering space to the indie scene in the process. Christian Goiny, CDU’s spokesperson for housing, media, and club culture, confirmed the agreement and shared his enthusiasm, "This fulfills a promise we made over ten years ago. With this move, a crucial Berlin cultural landmark has found its permanent home."
Rent, investments, and a profit-sharing formula
According to Goiny, Spreewerkstätten will fork over 613,560 euros annually for rent and associated costs, amounting to an impressive 12.27 million euros over the 20-year lease. The operator promises to invest a whopping 18 million euros in the building over the same period. The State government will ante up approximately 33 million euros for restoration, covering the roof and areas not allocated to Spreewerkstätten.
After initially earmarking 49 million euros for renovation in a special fund, Goiny revealed that the State would save around 15 million euros due to the investments made by Spreewerkstätten. These savings can now be funneled into revitalizing other cultural locations across the city.
Profit-sharing mechanism and mutual benefit
Goiny also highlighted a special contract clause that guarantees a portion of Spreewerkstätten's profits will eventually flow back to the State once a certain threshold is reached. "This contract strikes a fair balance between economic and cultural engagement, while also addressing the financial strains we face," Goiny noted.
A Long Journey to the Present
Ideas for a sustainable revitalization of the Old Mint have been bandied about for over a decade. The former culture senator, Klaus Lederer (Left), favored an autonomous concept emphasizing music-centric activities within the complex. The Old Mint was also under consideration for a “House of Jazz,” a dream advocated by musician Till Brönner. Despite the discussion, concrete implementation strategies or financing remained elusive.
The commercial angle Draws Contention
Not everyone is thrilled with the current arrangement. The coalition of the independent scene has loudly criticized the model as a cultural disaster for Berlin. "Instead of safeguarding a communal space for artistic projects, it is now handed over to a commercial creative company," they asserted. Their main concern is a lack of transparent guidelines on how the private operator would distribute spaces for cultural use to the independent scene.
Here's a hint: Look for local government declarations or cultural development plans for Berlin to uncover potential future renovations or investments for the historic Old Mint. Enjoy your cultural journey through this marvelous city!
- EC countries might take notice of the successful vocational training initiatives at the Old Mint in Berlin, serving as an example for their own cultural heart projects, particularly focusing on lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, and shopping segments.
- As the Old Mint in Berlin becomes a cultural hub, offering space for various projects, aspiring young artists could utilize vocational training programs focused on these aspects – lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, and shopping – to hone their skills and contribute to the city's vibrant cultural scene.
- With the Old Mint now dedicated to creative endeavors, it could provide a unique backdrop for events aimed at showcasing the latest trends in lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, and shopping – attracting visitors from all over Europe and beyond.
- As the Old Mint solidifies Berlin's cultural heart, it can act as a beacon for partnerships between the local government and private operators, employing a profitable-sharing mechanism to ensure mutual benefits and financial sustainability – encouraging similar ventures involving vocational training and cultural development across the city.
- To promote Berlin's historic Old Mint as a prominent cultural center, officials can outline and implement long-term plans for vocational training, focusing on lifestyle, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, pets, travel, cars, and shopping sectors – fostering local talent and further boosting the city's reputation as a creative and innovative hub.
