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Created: May 22, 2022, 4:12 p.m

Of: Johanna Werner

The Cologne carnival society Nippeser Bürgerwehr submits its plans for the rescue of the listed building Fort X in Cologne to the files.

Cologne – The plans were big: The Nippeser militia wanted to renovate Fort X in Neustadt-Nord and then establish it as its own carnival stronghold and cultural meeting place for the people of Veedel. After all, the Cologne companies like the Prince Guard, the Honor Guard or the Red Sparks are already showing the way. The traditional corps have had their home in a listed building in Cologne for some time. But the Applesine-Funken plan is now over. “For us, as volunteer carnivalists, we can no longer afford the years of back and forth around FORT X,” explains Michael Gerhold, President of the Nippeser militia, at the end of May.

But no rescue for the dilapidated monument in Cologne: Fort X-Aus for Nippeser vigilantes

The renovation project has now been shelved, says the traditional corps of the Cologne Carnival. “We had a viable concept for the extensive renovation and later use of the historic building. Most cases think that’s a good thing, precisely because we have presented a comprehensive idea paper that takes into account the interests of residents and existing tenants,” says Gerhold.

But then why was the project terminated before it was even lost? The Nippes vigilante emphasizes that obstacles have repeatedly been placed in the way. As a result, the planning came to a standstill and the building complex in the Cologne city center continued to disintegrate.

“As early as 2020, an acute threat to road safety was officially identified,” explains the president of the Nippeser militia. “Since then, nothing has happened to even stop the decay. So a refurbishment – ​​regardless of which user – is becoming more and more expensive.”

Cologne Carnival: Fort X-Aus for Nippeser vigilantes – city decision is “doubly incomprehensible”

The city of Cologne is particularly critical, as the Appelsine Funken President explains: “The city of Cologne has made it clear to the public that it is unable to bear the costs for the renovation and long-term maintenance. So it is doubly incomprehensible that a ready-made, viable concept for cultural use is not more clearly supported.”

“A look at other buildings that Cologne’s carnival associations have leased shows how careful and monument protection-oriented such a use could look in practice,” emphasizes Gerhold. Just a few weeks ago, for example, the City Council decided to expand the Sachsenturm for the Blaue Funken.

It is all the sadder that Fort X cannot be saved by the traditional corps. “We are not a commercial enterprise, but Cologne citizens who do voluntary work.” The city should therefore now look for another solution for the dilapidated building. (jw) Fair and independent information, what happened in North Rhine-Westphalia and Cologne – subscribe to our free 24RHEIN newsletter here.