If everything goes according to plan, the time will come in about two years: In 2024, the Free State wants to put the new criminal justice center on Leonrodplatz into operation. Almost two kilometers into the city, near Stiglmaierplatz, huge areas will then be free. But what will become of the old criminal justice center on Nymphenburger Strasse and the associated building of the Munich I public prosecutor’s office on Linprunstrasse?
For the Green/Pink List, the largest faction in the city council, the matter is clear. “We think residential construction on the vacant lot is the best option – namely the construction of affordable rental apartments,” says City Councilor Anna Hanusch. “In this inner-city location, a partial mix of commercial or office space is desirable in such a large block, but the focus should clearly be on living,” she emphasizes.
It is unclear how many apartments would fit there. The current development with 50,000 square meters of floor space for the judiciary cannot be converted to residential use. But several hundred apartments should be accommodated.
Hanusch’s words carry weight, because the city has planning authority. If the Free State as the property owner wants to do something other than the currently stipulated “administration” use, the city council must change the development plan. And that is only possible with the votes of the Greens/Pink List and their coalition partner SPD/Volt.
The ministry wants to stay in the center but rent cheaper than now
Their faction leader Christian Müller is a little more reserved than the Green Hanusch. So far he has not known of any “change notification” from the Free State, “and life is not a request concert,” says the SPD city councilor. But he adds: “We will not put any obstacles in the way if apartments are to be built there.” All around is “a wonderful residential area”.
The trend in city politics could put the Free State in a tricky situation. Because according to SZ information, the state real estate agency Imby is said to have initiated a feasibility study for the development of a residential area, for example for employees of the judiciary with rather low incomes. But what became of it is unclear. The responsible building ministry does not respond to a request.
And now the state government is considering creating a branch of the Ministry of the Interior on Nymphenburger Strasse. The authorities already wanted the property on Seidlstrasse, which the Free State is now likely to award to Apple. Now “talks are being held with Imby and the Ministry of Construction and Justice about alternative areas,” explains a spokesman for Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU). “The mentioned area on Nymphenburger Strasse is also an issue here.” He explains that you need accommodation “as close to the center as possible, also near the main building on Odeonsplatz” and the other ministries.
The Ministry of the Interior has currently rented 12,000 square meters near Marienplatz for a monthly rent of a good 500,000 euros. Could Nymphenburger Strasse be a substitute for this uncomfortably expensive rental? Answer from Herrmann’s spokesman: “Yes.” It is still unclear how many square meters the Ministry of the Interior is claiming, which is “currently being determined,” they say.
Ultimately, a displacement process could get under way
Ultimately, there could be a displacement process: Apple is ousting the ministry, and the ministry is ousting affordable inner-city housing.
A large residential project in a prime Munich location would have great political symbolism. After all, Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) had set the goal in 2018 that the state company Bayernheim should create 10,000 affordable apartments by 2025. In the spring of 2022, not a single one had been built, only a few had been purchased. After all, Söder and Building Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU) broke ground in the summer for 270 of a total of 611 apartments that the other state company Stadibau is building in Oberwiesenfeld near the Olympic Park. It will be the second construction phase, the first 370 apartments are already further advanced.
So what is the Ministry of Building planning to do with the 17,500 square meter site between Nymphenburger Strasse and Linprunstrasse? A spokesman for Bernreiter sent a general statement to a detailed list of questions about plans and possible uses, saying that “investigations had been initiated early on” as to how the area should be used in the future, “these tests have not yet been completed. Information on future use are therefore not yet possible”. A largely identical statement comes from the Ministry of Justice, which is headed by Munich CSU boss Georg Eisenreich. Both of them say they are in contact with the city of Munich.
This is confirmed by the city’s planning department. However, it expresses a preference: “It is definitely possible and desirable for a significant proportion of living on the site, especially in the rear area on Linprunstrasse”. Incidentally, this was also “the latest status of the talks” with the Free State.
Time is running out. Two years is just a blink of an eye in urban planning
The coalition partner of the CSU at the state level is staying out for the time being: “At this point in time, it would still be premature to talk about specific demands or recommendations,” says Hans Friedl, spokesman for the Free Voters in the state parliament on construction and housing policy.
And what is the position of the CSU in the city council? Heike Kainz, spokeswoman for planning policy for the CSU/Free Voters parliamentary group, initially emphasizes that the issue can only be assessed once the Free State of Bavaria has presented a concept for the property. But she adds: “We would very much appreciate it if the Free State disclosed all plans and considerations as soon as possible.” Kainz then sends a warning: “Under no circumstances should a vacancy arise.”
Again, that could be tight. The two years until 2024 are a blink of an eye for the planning of such a large inner-city property. At least two years should be allowed for a change in the development plan alone. Architectural planning, for whatever use, is also time-consuming.