Million dollar project at Bleibergplatz: New future for Mechernich!

Million dollar project at Bleibergplatz: New future for Mechernich!

Something is finally happening again in Mechernich - after a difficult journey, we have now managed to bring a breath of fresh air into the city center. A new building project at Bleibergplatz is in the starting blocks. The plans that the farmer Clemens Ploenes developed together with his partner Albert Kühl from Bedburg promise comprehensive changes and a revitalization of the region.

The previous conditions were not necessarily optimal. The city was under pressure due to the death of investor Elmar Scholzen, who wanted to advance the implementation of the Integrated Action Concept (InHK). The project stalled because the family of the deceased was busy settling the estate. In the meantime, the city had difficulties finding new investors. Mayor Dr. However, Hans-Peter Schick is optimistic about the future and has been looking for new partners to end the standstill. Finally, Ploenes and Kühl found their way to this important construction project, which is of central importance for Mechernich.

Details about the new building project

With a planned investment of around 17.5 million euros plus land acquisition costs, a modern residential and commercial building will be created that meets not only functional but also aesthetic requirements. A total of 48 apartments as well as a self-service market and dining facilities are planned. This mixture should help to significantly increase the quality of stay at Bleibergplatz.

The building will be constructed on a floor area of ​​approximately 1,500 square meters and will comprise four connected components. A highlight is the planned facade, which will be designed with natural stone and will integrate an arcade with restaurant areas in order to exude cosiness and charm typical of the region.

The social aspect of the new building project is also particularly important. Of the 48 planned apartments, 25 are to be publicly funded. This sets an example for social housing, which is particularly socially relevant in the current situation. The remaining 23 apartments are privately financed.

A key project for the city center

The planning application is expected by summer and construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026. The collaboration with the architectural office aci - company for project development, construction planning and management from Würselen, which plays a central role at InHK, will continue. Initial reactions from the city's planning committee have been positive, further bolstering optimism about the project.

However, the city of Mechernich still faces challenges, especially with regard to financial support from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The application for urban development funding was classified as “not ready for approval or not eligible for funding”. The city administration is currently waiting for an official rejection of the application in order to gain clarity on the next steps. The challenges are not insignificant, because there is currently less money for urban development funding and the competition for funding is fierce - 32 applications with a total funding amount of around 70 million euros have already been submitted.

Nevertheless, the hope remains that Mechernich, with the new investor and the planned construction project, can not only redesign the appearance of the city center, but also promote sustainable development in the region. The future looks promising and gives hope that Mechernich will soon become a thriving center of life again.