An intensive and fine collaboration with the municipality of Utrecht has resulted in a promising decision on the OPG site in Utrecht.
The college of Mayor and Aldermen of Utrecht sees a future for valuable buildings and tenants in the new district of Merwede. In the coming period, the municipality will consider how five buildings of the OPG complex can be retained for the area. The Commission also wants to continue the conversation with the tenants on the OPG site that fit well with the development of the healthy and lively city district of Merwede.
The starting point for this decision is the research report ‘The future of buildings and tenants’, which was carried out by the municipality in collaboration with Mei.
Our role in this process is that we carefully research the buildings, in terms of cultural history, qualities, and ensemble work. We are also actively involved in the discussions with current tenants. Based on this, we are developing a strategy to selectively fit the existing buildings into the special development Merwede on quality and added value.
In 2004, the municipality purchased the OPG site, located between Wilhelminalaan and the current bus station, for the future development of the Merwede Canal Zone. In the meantime, the buildings of the OPG complex have been temporarily leased to a large number of users in recent years. A number of temporary tenants have put the area on the map as an attractive place. The Commission would like to see these companies and organizations located in the new plans. These social, creative and sporting initiatives fit well with the intended urban district.
The 5 existing buildings fit well into the plans for Merwede and give the new city district identity and character. Next step is now a feasibility study.