Basel: Ozeanium project to be relaunched
The construction plan for Basel Zoo's planned large-scale project, the Ozeanium, will be presented to the public for a second time in late summer. An environmental impact assessment is to be carried out beforehand.
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) is intended to answer questions about traffic routing and the sustainability of the CHF 100 million large aquarium on the Heuwaage in Basel.
With the Ozeanium, Basel Zoo is planning around 30 aquariums with different habitats for all types of aquatic life. The building on the Heuwaage requires, among other things, a zoning change and a new building and road layout, which necessitates a development plan that was published in February.
Five objections to the development plan have been received. Among other things, the objectors would like more information on transport links and the sustainability of the Ozeanium, according to the City of Basel. This is now to be provided by the EIA.
The environmental impact report will be published together with the development plan in late summer. A decision by the cantonal government can therefore be expected by the end of the year and a decision by the Grand Council in the first half of 2017.
The development plan is based on the Seacliff project proposal by Boltshauser Architekten from Zurich, who won the competition in 2014. The majority of the Ozeanium is to be built underground.
The plans for the Ozeanium - which would be the first large aquarium in Switzerland - date back to 2009. At that time, construction was expected to start in 2018 and cost between CHF 60 and 80 million. (ah)
