Several million euros

Politicians get the rest of the garage money

The garage company has set aside eleven million euros for the Mönchsberg expansion.

(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

Eleven million euros in reserves are still slumbering in the parking garage company. The funds for the Mönchsberg expansion could now be used for traffic calming.

Ever since the clear rejection of the expansion of the Mönchsberg garage by the people of Salzburg in a public survey, the question has been raised. What will happen to the many millions of euros that the parking garage company has saved up for the expansion of the garage? The corresponding reserves now stand at around eleven million euros.

A decision has now been made: Politicians will get the money. On Monday, the city senate approved an amendment to the articles of association. The city holds 60 percent of the shares in the joint parking garage company, the rest belongs to the state.

Originally, there were plans to change the purpose of the company so that the company itself would carry out further infrastructure measures or improvements in the old town. Now the city and state have chosen a different path. The two owners decide whether the profits are to be distributed. The money therefore flows into the city and state budgets.

City government already has plans for additional millions
However, the city has already decided how the funds are to be used in the new working agreement. "For traffic calming measures, the design of city center squares, the expansion of public transport or cycle paths and the expansion of park & ride areas," it says.

Citizens' List club leader Ingeborg Haller fought for years for the money to be released and is now satisfied. "The profits saved up can now finally be invested in sensible, sustainable projects," she says. Haller wants to ensure that the funds actually flow into the transport sector: "Of course, we have to be careful that the money doesn't seep into the budget."