Bern: Meinen site to be built over

A neighborhood center is to be built on the parcels south and north of Schwarztorstrasse on the Meinen site. According to the city of Bern, the first floors of the development will provide space for small and neighborhood businesses, studios, restaurants and other service providers, while the basement of the northern part of the development could accommodate a retailer. Around 184 apartments will be built on the upper floors: one third of the living space will be affordable and thus meet the requirements of the housing initiative.

Attractive outdoor spaces with an inner courtyard, a roof terrace for the residents and a public footpath through the park of the development are also planned. According to the mobility concept, the site should generate only a small amount of motorized traffic and at least 400 bicycle parking spaces should be provided, the city of Bern adds.

In order to be able to realize the project, a zoning ordinance is necessary, which is based on the further developed winning project that emerged from a two-stage study commission procedure. The public consultation period for the zoning ordinance will run from January 7 to February 8, 2019, followed by the preliminary review by the canton and the public display. The referendum on the zoning ordinance is scheduled to take place in spring 2021. (ah)