Exchange on current issues in the city
First of all, Mayor Dirk Schaible and First Deputy Mayor Stefan Kegreiß presented current issues in the town to the district administrator in the town hall. They discussed current issues in the town, such as the construction of the new sports hall in the town center, the further development of the town center, elementary school development and the sewage treatment plant, which is currently the first in the district to receive a fourth treatment stage. Other topics included the town's heat and water supply, the barrier-free conversion of bus stops in the town area, the construction of an interim kindergarten, the development of a residential area on the southern edge of the town, the debt in the core budget, the proposed night-time driving ban for trucks and speed checks on Benninger Straße.
Site visits on the freeway and in the town center
This was followed by site visits, starting with the bridge for the planned A 81 freeway overpass, which cuts through the urban area and is a source of noise and exhaust fumes. A feasibility study was carried out here with financial support from the state. According to the plans, a hybrid system is to be used for the overlay: In areas with buildings and development areas, a rigid load-bearing system is planned; in areas with public and private green spaces, a lightweight green bridge. Estimated total cost of the project: 84 million euros. The next project to be visited was the new Oscar Paret School (OPS). Here, the city achieved a precision landing with construction costs of 75 million euros. Grants for the project came from school construction funding, from the equalization fund and from neighbouring municipalities on a voluntary basis.
Old OPS to be converted for refugee accommodation
Schaible, Kegreiß and Allgaier then moved on to the old, only half-demolished OPS, which is being converted for refugee accommodation. The first floor is to be converted into accommodation for around 100 refugees, who will be able to move in in the fall at the earliest. Old classrooms will be available to the refugees as living quarters. A fire safety concept needs to be developed and a fire alarm system installed. Freiberg has taken in around 200 refugees from Ukraine since the start of the war.
District Administrator praises good relationship and constructive cooperation between city and district
District Administrator Allgaier praised "the efficient Freiberg city administration as well as the good relationship and constructive cooperation between the city of Freiberg and the district". Allgaier promised the city the continued support of the district administration for the challenges ahead and thanked Schaible and Kegreiß for the informative program of visits. Mayor Schaible said: "I am very pleased that in Dietmar Allgaier we have a district administrator who is close to the people and the municipalities. I also see this as a good sign that we in the towns and municipalities can rely on good cooperation with the district in view of the current challenges, such as the increasingly difficult accommodation of refugees."
