The citizens’ initiative is cautiously optimistic about the plans approved by the design advisory board for a redesign of the former Capuchin monastery. They already have their own suggestions for the monastery garden.
LINZ. Not just the project applicants, they too Citizens’ initiative “Future Monastery Garden” followed yesterday’s decision by the design advisory board on the new use of the former Capuchin monastery with excitement. The project cleared the hurdle in the fourth attempt and one thing is clear: the monastery garden has been finally saved. Much more, it should also be partially available to the public. Another part is used by the company kindergarten, which is also planned.
Fight against high-rise
The garden was the starting point of a conflict that could permanently change the Capuchin district. In 2017, another high-rise was to be built in the former monastery garden. The persistent resistance of the neighbors brought this plan down. In order to find a solution that was compatible with everyone, Vice Mayor Markus Hein (FPÖ) started a cooperative planning process in which all those involved were brought together. The topic was not just the former monastery, but the whole district. The project discussed yesterday is just the beginning.
The monastery garden is to become a climate field
Erich Gusenbauer, spokesman for “Future Monastery Garden”, sees the development so far as positive and would like the neighboring Michael Reitter School to benefit from it: “Together with the city we want to establish a ‘climate field’ right here,” said Gusenbauer. The pupils should plant vegetables and herbs and part of the monastery garden should become a publicly accessible place for learning and relaxing. “I think that we will find a constructive understanding here with investor Michael Ehrenfried,” said Gusenbauer.
Possible synergies with neighbors
Michaela Lauth, co-initiator of the initiative and teacher at the school, also sees opportunities for interesting synergies. School director Irene Mühlbach is somewhat more skeptical: “I hope that the height of the extension does not kill us. Anything above the ridge height of the nave would be exaggerated,” said Mühlbach. She also wants to keep a close eye on the construction site equipment:
“Year-long construction work on the school side or even a building site in the monastery garden would be associated with massive noise emissions that we cannot expect our hearing and visually impaired pupils to expect. Due to the corona-related ventilation, the windows are also permanently open … I appeal to those responsible to show consideration for the weakest across from”.
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