The electorate accepted the credit of 112 million francs for the construction and transport measures in connection with the expansion of the Bern train station with 57.67 percent yes-votes (27,271 yes to 20,016 no-votes). “I am glad that the city of Bern can now do its part to ensure that the new train station works,” says councilor Marieke Kruit. The new station doesn’t stop at the platform entrances. “Commuters rely on getting from the train station to the city quickly and safely,” says Marieke Kruit.
The Bern railway station, the second largest in Switzerland, is currently being expanded by RBS and SBB. The urban measures affect the area around the station: the street space at Bubenbergplatz will be reorganized so that the rapidly growing pedestrian flows and public transport can continue to circulate smoothly. Pedestrian traffic is given more space and is more clearly delimited from bicycle traffic, and motorized individual traffic is reduced. In addition, it is necessary to build an underground passageway from the new Bubenberg access to the Hirschengraben. The city can count on considerable support for the project: It is expected that the federal government and the canton will return a good 58 million francs to the city coffers.
New festival hall can be built
Those entitled to vote have the Mingerstrasse-Papiermühlestrasse development regulations with 64.17 percent yes-votes (29,585 yes-votes to 16,516 no-votes) and the investment contribution of 15 million francs to Messepark Bern AG for the realization of the new festival hall with 51 , 13 percent yes votes (24,243 yes votes to 23,170 no votes). The templates create the prerequisites for the replacement of the festival hall in need of renovation on the BERNEXPO site with a new building. The building regulations are necessary because the planned new building has a larger volume than the existing festival hall. In addition, the building regulations allow the relocation of 350 above-ground parking spaces, which today affect the Grosse Allmend, to the underground Expo-Parking.
«I am delighted that the voters seized the opportunity of the new festival hall. Finally there is a realistic perspective of being able to hold more and more larger congresses, concerts, cultural and sporting events with national appeal in Bern, ”says Mayor Alec von Graffenried. With the investment contribution to the infrastructure, the city enables a private project that promises high regional added value and additional tax income. “I am convinced that the benefits of the new festival hall will justify the city’s annual costs and that the Bern exhibition center will be strengthened in the long term,” says councilor Michael Aebersold, director of finance, human resources and IT.
The development of the Meinen area clears an important hurdle
Finally, the voters have the development regulations Schwarztorstrasse-
Brunnmattstrasse (Meinen-Areal) was clearly accepted with 88.69 percent yes-votes (42,121 yes-votes to 5372 no-votes). It enables the realization of a high-quality and sustainable residential and commercial development with around 185 apartments on the former premises of Meinen-AG in the Mattenhof district. Sales areas, small businesses and district uses should make a contribution to creating an attractive district center. «The clear yes of the voters brings a lengthy planning process to a successful conclusion. I’m very happy about that, ”says Mayor Alec von Graffenried. «The project is a success story. It not only enables a welcome redensification of the existing settlement structure, but also makes a major contribution to the urban and socio-spatial upgrading of the Mattenhof district. “
–
