Declaration of intent for ZLB am Alex: Maybe one step further

Is this a clever move to create facts shortly before the end of the black-red coalition, which was voted out on Sunday? Or just an air act? At the end of last week, the State of Berlin and Commerz Real signed a joint declaration of intent - a so-called letter of intent - "on the possible merger of the two locations of the Central and State Library Berlin (ZLB) at Alexanderplatz".

The declaration gives “both sides sufficient time for further negotiations regarding the space intended for the ZLB in the existing building at Alexanderplatz 9,” where Galeria Kaufhof and the high-rise office building that has grown into the sky are located. Commerz Real is the owner of the building and a real estate subsidiary of the Commerzbank Group.

There have been two resignations of culture senators in the last few months and repeated doubts about the Senate's plans. Officially, however, he held on to the hope that the ZLB would one day move to the Alex. Now both sides are fundamentally committed to a usage concept “that offers an answer to the cultural policy challenge of creating a sustainable, infrastructural solution for the ZLB after many years.” The settlement could also be expected to have positive effects on the development of Alexanderplatz. The Senate expects the ZLB to receive more than a million visitors per year.

Die bisherigen Planungen sehen rund 42.680 Quadratmeter Nettoraumfläche für die ZLB vor. On 14,220 square meters, the existing building will continue to be used as a department store with retail and restaurants.

Stefan Evers, current mayor and Senator for Culture, believes in “a long-term solution”: “The ZLB at Alexanderplatz offers the opportunity to bring Berliners together in a central, easily accessible location and at the same time provide urgently needed impulses for the Alex in the middle of Berlin.” We have now come one step closer to this goal.

Of course it's also about money. Evers is also still a finance senator. The state of Berlin would pay rent for the ZLB for decades; there was already talk of 20 million euros per year. Mario Schüttauf, managing director of Commerz Real Investmentgesellschaft, is naturally pleased about this. The aim is “to make the entire building complex a lively mix of work, culture and shopping and at the same time make a contribution to the sustainable development of the city”. This could be achieved with the ZLB.

The ZLB welcomes the declaration of intent to bring together the “divided and dilapidated library buildings of the ZLB” at a “central, functional location at Alexanderplatz 9”. “The declaration of intent brings hope,” exults Jonas Fansa, director of the ZLB. “Our central and state library cannot continue as it is now – children, young people and adults deserve a functioning library in a central location and with enough space.”

Fansa is beating the drum: “The building at Alexanderplatz 9 is the solution.” A public library could enliven the Alex. Around 2,000 jobs, lounge areas for families and children, creative spaces, a safe learning space for young people and a meeting space for the entire city – all of this could be created here. “A nicer project,” comments the ZLB director, “can hardly be presented to a new government.”

The Senate, which will continue to work for the time being under the leadership of Steffen Evers, and Commerz Real intend to conduct negotiations on the “essential” economic and legal framework conditions in October 2026. There could be a move in 2030, according to the RBB. However, only the new state government will make the final decision. The Greens have already spoken out in favor of the proposal, and the Left also supports the idea.