Opposition etches

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There was uncertainty about building work in Innsbruck City Hall. Now the fog is clearing.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof/KroneKREATIV)

The mayor of Innsbruck, Johannes Anzengruber, has had his office in the town hall completely renovated and refurnished: The opposition is critical of the "Chalet YES of course" - and the lack of transparency. 

There has been a lot of hammering, sanding and nailing in Innsbruck City Hall since the new mayor took office in May. Because nobody really knew what was going on, Liste Fritz local councillor Andrea Haselwanter-Schneider submitted a written question to city boss Johannes Anzengruber in June, which was answered a month later.

"There are gaps in the answers"
But apparently not even the mayor himself was satisfied: on 22 August, he sent a letter to all members of the municipal council, which began with the words: "In the interests of transparency and not least due to the unfortunately incomplete response to questions", he wanted to provide information about the "necessary renovation work in his office and the refurbishment of other offices".

Anzengruber led us by the nose in his reply, concealed many things and provided false answers.

Andrea Haselwanter-Schneider, Liste Fritz

Bild: Christof Birbaumer / Kronenzeitung

"The 'necessary, ongoing maintenance' described in the inquiry was turned into thorough renovation measures, and that in less than two months," says a surprised GR Haselwanter-Schneider, who accuses Anzengruber of "camouflaging, tricking and deceiving": "The mayor does not have to make a mockery of inquiries, but has to answer questions and be transparent with taxpayers' money."

She doesn't begrudge Anzengruber the "chalet-style" renovation: "He should have a proper workplace. But we as the opposition shouldn't have to organize a paper chase about it."

A "worn-out old building"
According to the mayor's office, 250,000 euros are earmarked annually for refurbishment measures in the town hall. The renovation of the mayor's office, which had been handed over completely empty by the predecessor, had cost a total of 70,000 euros, a third of which was accounted for by the mayor's discretionary funds. The office was a "worn-out old building" in terms of its substance. It had hardly been changed for 15 years.