Wigoltingen: Vote on Fashion Outlet in January
The decision on the planned outlet center in Wigoltingen (TG) will be made at the end of January. The citizens of the neighboring town of Müllheim will vote on the project in a community meeting.
The "Edelreich" project in Wigoltingen is to be the largest fashion outlet in the Lake Constance region. According to the project website, 90 to 120 stores are planned on a sales area of 30,000 square meters. The outlet center is to be built in three stages; the initiator is JTM Rütenen AG, which is also the owner of the 60,000 sqm site. Around 2,500 visitors per day are expected.
However, the neighboring community of Müllheim is also affected by the planned outlet center. This is because the building site is to be accessed via two roads that lie on Müllheim soil. Although the municipal council has approved the design plan for the project, an optional referendum has been held. Therefore, an extraordinary community meeting will be held on January 24, 2017. Then the population of Müllheim can decide on the project.
Much resistance to the project
In the event of a "no" vote, the project would be off the table. If the population votes in favor, the canton still has to approve the planning basis. The investors can then submit the building application.
Opposition to the outlet center comes from the environmental association and four other parties. They have lodged objections, but these have been rejected by the two municipalities, according to local media reports. The VCS Thurgau opposes the outlet center because it fears a lot of additional car traffic for Wigoltingen and Müllheim.
