Groundbreaking for Renovation at NHM - but Concerns About Budget
The budgetary constraints are causing Culture Minister Andreas Babler (SPÖ) to consider postponing infrastructure projects that were actually agreed upon, such as the new, barrier-free foyer of the Natural History Museum (NHM) Vienna. Despite this, the groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation work at the NHM took place on Wednesday. As a precaution, the symbolic excavation started in one of the courtyards, where the long-demanded elevator system is now being implemented.
Question Marks Over Cultural Budget
Around 100 million euros were - as of 2023 - earmarked for work on the two representative twin museums on Vienna's Ringstrasse and in the Belvedere. It was only at the beginning of April that the Kunsthistorisches Museum (KHM) Vienna presented its project, estimated at 42.3 million euros in construction costs. Recently, however, the federal budget deficit has continued to expand steadily and seemingly unexpectedly. This is compounded by further deteriorating economic forecasts, which are not good omens for creating structural facts, such as tearing holes in federal museums.
NHM Director General Katrin Vohland and the economic director Markus Roboch stated that they are highly aware of the problem. During a visit to the NHM last week, Babler could not give the green light for the 34.7 million euro entrance renovation - NHM's own contribution: 1.8 million euros - said Vohland: "We are very curious about the budget speech," she said, referring to the scheduled date in parliament on May 13.
No Money, No Renovation
It is clear that if no federal funds are provided for the major part of the renovation - the new entrance, plus subordinate rooms such as the shop, café, space for science communication, or new sanitary facilities - it is out of the question that the museum can even remotely manage the project with its own funds: If the money does not come, "the renovation will not take place." The uncertainty will be endured until next Tuesday, said the Director General, who showed understanding for the need for budget consolidation, but also hoped "that the new government has the courage and foresight to make the right decision for the future."
Largest Chunk Due Only in 2027
Vohland insisted on "planning security" - as it is also somewhat about the credibility of politics as a whole. After all, one is already confronted with initial bills in the long planning and now beginning implementation process. And: The project is not yet that expensive this year and next. In 2025, nearly two million would be due, "the large chunk is only due in 2027." One hopes - almost literally - for a solution in terms of better access to culture and science.
Of course, theoretically, one can currently reach the NHM with a wheelchair. However, the path leads through one of the courtyards, where one can then - with support - awkwardly reach the exhibition area via a lift. This is no longer contemporary, agreed the architects involved in the two sub-projects. A "very good compromise" was found in the concepts for the new lift system and the additional entrances below two windows next to the grand main entrances, said Burghauptmann Reinhold Sahl.
Construction Start for New Lift System
Now, the construction of the new lift system in the "1st courtyard" of the building is starting: The 3.3 million euros for it are secured, explained Roboch. The NHM is contributing 1.5 million of its own funds. The long-needed new "vertical access to the NHM Vienna" will be realized through a built-in tower. For the significantly larger and more expensive project part towards Maria-Theresien-Platz, the museum is also open to compromises due to the current major question marks in the cultural budget, it was emphasized by the museum.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.