Groningen's Nieuwe Poort Faces Delays and Rising Costs
Ambitious plans for the new music centre grapple with €410 million price tag, multiple location options, and a 2035 completion target.
The future of Groningen's Nieuwe Poort music centre remains uncertain as rising costs and space limitations challenge plans to establish the new venue. Initially intended to replace De Oosterpoort, the iconic music centre on Trompsingel, construction costs for the preferred location near Groningen Station have escalated from €300 million to an estimated €410 million. This significant increase has pushed back the completion timeline to at least 2035, several years later than originally planned.
Station Area: Benefits and Challenges
The Groningen municipal board has long favored the station area for its central location and potential to boost the cultural and economic vibrancy of the city. However, the limited space available for construction behind the station has made the project more complex and costly. Expanding the plot to accommodate the music centre is under consideration, but this could impact housing and business developments also planned for the area.
Suikerzijde: A Limited Option
The alternative location at the Suikerzijde district was evaluated, but relocating the entire program from De Oosterpoort to this area was deemed unfeasible. The board highlighted that the Suikerzijde lacks the proximity to the city centre necessary to maintain the social and economic benefits offered by the station area. However, the Suikerzijde could still host certain parts of the music centre’s program, such as a pop venue, which operates more independently and has a limited impact on ticket sales based on its location.
Considering Multiple Locations
As a compromise, the municipality is exploring the possibility of splitting the Nieuwe Poort program across multiple locations, with the station area and the Suikerzijde as primary options. Spreading the facilities over two or more sites could lower costs and reduce construction complexity. However, the board is reluctant to divide the program into more than two locations to preserve the cohesive experience of the music centre.
Delays and Precautions
Originally slated for completion by 2030, the Nieuwe Poort project now faces significant delays, with 2035 as the new target date. The municipal board emphasized the need for caution to avoid excessive costs, citing examples from other cities that faced large budget overruns on similar projects. "We must ensure that the new music centre does not become an undue financial burden on the city and its residents," said Rik van Niejenhuis, the alderman responsible for the project.
Next Steps
The municipal board will complete further investigations into expanding the station area plot and assessing the feasibility of splitting the program between locations. These studies are expected to conclude by March, after which the city council will make a final decision on the Nieuwe Poort’s future.