Bern: Was the Viererfeld land sale too cheap?
The Grand Council's Business Audit Committee doubts that the canton sold the city of Bern a plot of land on the Viererfeld at market value. The city paid CHF 51.1 million for the almost 85,000 sqm plot.
According to the Business Audit Commission (GPK), the transaction involves the sale of an 84,482 sqm plot of land and the transfer of a 78,210 sqm plot of land in building rights from the canton to the city of Bern. The city intends to build a residential complex on the plot sold; it paid the canton CHF 51.1 million for this. The second plot, which will remain as a green area for the entire building lease period of 40 years, was sold by the canton free of charge. The corresponding building lease and sale agreement became legally binding in 2018 with the zoning plan amendment.
Based on an analysis of numerous documents and interviews, it was questionable whether the canton had sold the Viererfeld property at a price in line with the market, according to the GPK. As part of the financial assets, the two parcels should have been valued and sold at market value. Before deduction of the levy on added value, the Viererfeld parcel sold would have had a value in the three-digit million range, according to a calculation by the Financial Control. Admittedly, this value should not be equated with the potential sales price, because a potential investor would deduct certain costs that he would have to bear himself. However, it was obvious that the sales price achieved was in a range that was far removed from the calculations of the financial control, the GPK stated.
As an indication that the land was probably not sold at the market price, the Commission considers that it was clear very early on that the City of Bern wanted to realise a high proportion of social housing. With the price granted, the canton had indirectly co-subsidised non-profit housing construction. In addition, the canton had justified the agreed price by stating that it was a "net" price which already included a number of counter-performances, such as the levy on added value. Overall, the whole transaction was not sufficiently transparent, the GPK further criticises. It has adopted its report for consideration in the 2021 winter session. (ah)
