Lucerne: Further millions for the redevelopment of the EWL site
On the EWL site in Lucerne, there are plans to build a neighborhood with apartments, space for offices and commerce and, among other things, a new fire station. The project company is to receive further funding for this.
On the site of EWL AG, non-profit apartments, apartments for the elderly, commercial premises and offices for EWL Energie Wasser Luzern and the city of Lucerne are to be built. In addition, a new fire station and bases for civil defense and rescue services are planned. The project is being implemented by EWL Areal AG, in which the three main users EWL, the city of Lucerne and Allgemeine Baugenossenschaft Luzern (ABL) each hold a third of the shares.
Funds in the triple-digit millions
To finance the city's concerns, the City Council has applied to the Grand City Council for various special loans totaling a good CHF 133 million. This is to be used to increase the share capital of EWL Areal AG, to finance tenant improvements and rents, and to grant EWL Areal AG a loan of CHF 50 million.
The city of Lucerne points out that the planned mix of uses is tailored to public needs and does not correspond to a yield-oriented utilization of the site. The business plan of the project company shows a total return of only 2.6 percent. This is basically justifiable, but the equity ratio is also at a low level. From the bank's point of view, the risk capacity of EWL Areal AG is therefore not sufficiently given, the city fears. Therefore, the debt financing is to be supported with a subordinated municipal loan of CHF 50 million. The City Council is expected to decide on the special loan at the end of March. Because of the amount, there will be a referendum. This is to take place in June.
Construction could start in 2024
The Rotpunkt project, which is to be realized on the site, comprises 90 non-profit apartments of the ABL. Viva Luzern wants to realize about 60 apartments suitable for the elderly. The EWL building will be replaced by a new building. The three service departments Civil Engineering Office, Environmental Protection and Geoinformation Center will also receive new office space.
A new fire station for the professional and militia fire departments is also planned, including a site for the civil defense organization and a base for the rescue service of the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital. The former apparatus building - the "Red House" - which is listed in the building inventory of the Canton of Lucerne as worthy of protection, will be preserved. It is to become a meeting place for the neighborhood and the public, according to the city.
The first construction phase is scheduled to start in the summer of 2024, and the new EWL main building and the shed roof building are planned to be put into operation in the spring of 2027. By 2030, the residential courtyard building and the base for the blue-light organizations are to be realized. By staggering the work, provisional solutions can be avoided. (ah)
