New hotel tower in Gastein: dispute over water damage
politics
Neighbors are protesting against the major construction site for a new hotel in Bad Gastein (Pongau) – a 30 meter high residential tower. The driveway is blocked, the exposure to dust and water ingress is high. A lawyer should now take legal action. Most locals, on the other hand, welcome the project.
The mayor rejects the accusations from critics and speaks of individuals affected. After decades of standstill and decay in the town center, the new buildings are now intended to revitalize Bad Gastein. Many at home and abroad see the investments of the German Hirmer Group as a departure for Gastein. The Hotel Straubinger and the Badeschloss are renovated with a lot of money, and the large hotel tower is built. On the other hand, direct neighbors such as the interior decorator Rudolf Mitterhofer speak of major disadvantages due to the construction site.
Massive water damage from drilling?
The Gastein entrepreneur now has three drainage devices in use on his premises. There have been problems since 2019, when work on the canalization began: “There was massive drilling with large equipment on the rock – for years. Then our house shook. One can only assume that the water has found its own way. Now it’s just pouring into me.”
Another apartment owner in the neighborhood complains about cracks in the wall that have appeared since the start of the work. A lawyer has now been hired to take legal action. The project operator has not yet issued a statement on this.
Mayor refers to preservation of evidence
The ÖVP mayor of Bad Gastein speaks of individual cases, the allegations still need to be checked, says Gerhard Steinbauer: “As is so often the case, there are allegations and facts. And it is with projects of this kind that evidence was secured before construction work began – to understand whether damage had occurred or not. And I rely on the preservation of evidence.”
The construction site is a restriction for the shops in the immediate vicinity, there are problems with the access road and that poses major restrictions, say residents.
“There are always critics and know-it-alls”
The vast majority of the population sees massive advantages for Bad Gastein in the project – like the local teacher, artist and alpinist Erwin Reinthaler: “I see it very positively, because things have finally got moving. After years of standstill, which of course was very repugnant to all locals, something is finally happening. Of course there will be critical voices and know-it-alls who don’t find one or the other so good. But that was an initial spark, a nucleus that will lead to further projects.”
The renovated buildings and hotel tower are scheduled to open in about a year. If necessary, the affected residents want to enforce their claims in court.