EINDHOVEN – Hugo van Rooij’s Without Roof Foundation will manage the space at the former ABN-AMRO building on Stadhuisplein, as long as no construction work is being carried out there. Van Rooij wants to organize various activities and small-scale events there.
Van Rooij is happy with this opportunity. “We are thinking of cultural activities around events such as the Dutch Design week, Glow, King’s Day and Ameezing, but also activities such as a Christmas market or a Food Truck festival. I have already been approached by an organization that would like to organize a Pasar Malam”. Van Rooij emphasizes that in principle he will not organize himself, but will make the site available to organizations. “Commercial organizations then pay a lease, non-profit organizations can go there for nothing!”
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The first consultation evenings about the construction of residential towers around Stadhuisplein will be held next week. It is expected that the building site will remain vacant for some time, because the construction plans will lead to much discussion. Charles Goevaers of the construction company of the same name recently came into contact with Van Rooij and is enthusiastic about his plans. Any proceeds can benefit Hugo van Rooij’s foundation. Goevaers stipulates that the activities organized by Hugo van Rooij must not cause any nuisance in the neighbourhood.
The temporary ‘festival site’ will be decorated with lots of greenery and large photos of Oud-Eindhoven
“The project developer will hand over the construction site to us in a clean and safe manner. After which the Foundation will decorate the temporary ‘festival site’ with lots of greenery and large photos of Oud-Eindhoven. Given the unique location, we do not expect any inconvenience to the environment. Co-organizers or subtenants pay rent to the foundation,” says Van Rooij.
“With this we can offer our target group – the less fortunate people in Eindhoven – something extra. We want to offer dinner to five hundred people in the Beursgebouw at Christmas. Many of our guests regularly visit the food bank.”
Van Rooij has now received permission from the municipality of Eindhoven for his plans. “Of course, a permit must be applied for separately for each event or activity. A plus is that there is already a catering destination in the area. After all, there used to be various catering establishments”.
Additional bicycle storage
In addition to Van Rooij’s plans, the municipality of Eindhoven would like to create an extra bicycle shed on Stadhuisplein. And use the site as a storage depot for materials used in the refurbishment of the city centre.
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