Violent dispute over Greitemann: Kaufhof headquarters ensures vertebrae!

Violent dispute over Greitemann: Kaufhof headquarters ensures vertebrae!

The political landscape of Cologne is currently all about a violent debate about the former Kaufhof headquarters on Leonhard-Tatz-Straße. The focus of the dispute is the head of the building department Markus Greitemann (CDU), who sees himself in the criticism of his political opponents, while he is preparing for the local elections on September 14th. Rundschau online reports that the Social Democrats in particular fail to fail to Greitemanns indicate. SPD parliamentary group leader Christian Joisten accuses him of "failure" to the disadvantage of the city, while the co-party leader of the SPD, Andre Schirmer, describes him as "unsuitable" for the highest office of the city.

The Situation of the Kaufhof headquarters is indeed precarious. The conversion of the building, which originally started in January 2024 and should be completed by the end of 2025, is not progressing. In addition, the rent of 19.70 euros per square meter is to be described as a "attractive condition". However, the city has not yet approved the costs for the renovation, which have now risen to 50 million euros. So far, the city council has not approved this special payment. Greitemann had already asked for approval for the controversial conversion in April.

high rental costs and lost millions

Overall, the city should pay more than 300 million euros for renting the property over the next 25 years. Swiss Life, the owner, claims rent losses of 15 million euros. City director Andrea Blome and Greitemann have negotiations with the landlord, but the SPD accuses Greitemann of having caused the city to damage the city. The debate is described as violent and is in the context of the upcoming OB elections, as well as Report-K emphasized.

The CDU vehemently defends Greitemann and speaks of “assumptions” on the part of the opposition. CDU parliamentary group leader Bernd Petelkau emphasizes that the decision to rental was made with the integration of all political committees. Greitemann Himelfe rejects all the assumptions and emphasizes the transparency in the process.

Greens set clear accents for the future

For the Cologne Greens, the topics of sustainability and sustainable urban development are in the foreground, as can be seen from their current election program. A lot aims at urban development, but the discussion about the Kaufhof headquarters could also be included in the considerations of the Greens. Your program comprises a total of 96 pages that treat topics such as the expansion of renewable energies and a fair economy. The Greens rely on brave, progressive politics to make Cologne a city worth living for everyone, regardless of origin or social status. This commitment was decided at a district general meeting in March and shows the clear direction in which the party wants to, as you can present on your website Greens Cologne

In the shade of these political arguments, the question remains how the situation around the former Kaufhof headquarters will develop. While the SPD and the Greens are pushing for a more responsible policy, Greitemann sees itself in the task of enabling his party to have a positive election campaign. It is important to wait and see how Cologne's citizens will react to these heated debates and what effects they could have on the upcoming elections.