In the middle of Munich there is a small parallel world for children: written house walls can be seen there, colorfully filled holes in the asphalt and spider webs made of wool. In “StyleCity”, the current exhibition in the children’s and youth museum in Starnberg’s wing station, the little ones can try out various street art techniques. But this world will soon end there. Since 2014 it has been clear that the museum needs a different location because of the new main station building. A move to a new building on the Schwanthalerhöhe was planned. But the city council decision from April 2020 is no longer valid, says Jennifer Becker, spokeswoman for the culture department.
The investor would not be able to realize the project. He would have offered a new option instead, also at Schwanthalerhöhe. However, this is more expensive than the originally planned solution. “The financial impact is of such a magnitude that you have to propose an alternative. You can’t say: We’ll do it now, whatever the cost,” says Becker. With reference to internal contracts, she does not want to reveal the magnitude of the additional costs.
The former construction center in Messestadt Riem is now being discussed as an alternative. The cultural department wants to propose both options to the city council, which should then decide where the museum will move to. This development comes as a surprise to politicians from a wide range of parties. The CSU city council faction immediately made a request to Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) and demanded an explanation as to why the city council had not been informed. And the Schwanthalerhöhe district committee also reacted angrily. In a joint resolution of all factions, the committee calls for the original city council decision to be implemented “quickly”.
The BA chairwoman Sibylle Stöhr (Greens) stated that she would accept a vote by the city council in favor of Riem if that turned out to be a better location. “But then the numbers have to be transparent on the table, and I don’t see that just yet. I find it problematic to throw a fundamental decision so completely overboard.” What also bothers you is the communication of the culture department. Or rather, the lack of communication. Because Stöhr found out about the plans for Riem from the investor.
The Bauzentrum site would not have the desired central location. This is exactly what the museum’s managing director, Andreas Ernstberger, wanted years ago. “Certainly, a central location would be the best, but a decentralized location can also be made attractive if there is good public transport,” says a spokeswoman for the museum. The Riem location is a conceivable option due to the direct subway connection. One is in “close coordination” with the culture department.
Jennifer Becker from the cultural department also emphasizes the good connection to the subway network. In addition, Riem is “a district with many children”. Ultimately, however, the city council must decide. Until further notice, operations in the main station will continue. According to the museum, the plans extend until 2024, but there is no concrete statement from Deutsche Bahn regarding a move-out date.
Meanwhile, the museum is already planning the follow-up exhibition: From May, the “Innovator Geniuses” exhibition on the subject of inventions will follow “StyleCity”. The children should be relatively indifferent to where they are when they become little inventors themselves.