Green city councilor:

“We have to see what can still be saved”

Admont Abbey in Salzburg is planning 130 apartments.(Bild: Stadt Salzburg/Berger Parkkinen)

The housing project in Schwarzstraße in Salzburg has not yet been decided. The owners made too many demands, which is why the school will also have to make way in the summer, as reported. 

Enthusiasm about the planned residential project on the site of the Schwarzstraße elementary school is limited. It is not only the fact that the school has to go, but also that no affordable apartments will be built that is causing a stir. "Unfortunately, we can't dictate anything because we're building in existing buildings and there won't be any densification," says planning councillor Anna Schiester from the Green Citizens' List. She herself is not happy with the plans of the owner, Admont Abbey. "I would also like to see affordable apartments." These are highly unlikely to happen. The site is in a prime location between Schwarzstraße and the Salzach.

The school could have stayed for another year under certain conditions. The ultimatum: the city would have had to approve the project by April. Admont Abbey wants to create 130 apartments. "The project is still being decided by an elected body, namely the municipal council," says Schiester with a huff, adding: "We have to see what can still be saved." The development plan has not yet been approved. If the local council votes against it, the plan would have to be changed and the project would be delayed.