"No trespassing"

Long wait for the announced church purchase

Bishop Schwarz, city boss Molnar and finance councillor Mayer were actually already in agreement.(Bild: MAGISTRAT KREMS)

"No trespassing" is still written on the church grounds in the Lerchenfeld district of Krems. The planned purchase of the church has been delayed. ÖVP Deputy Mayor Florian Kamleitner is now increasing the pressure.

In July of this year, the deal seemed to be as good as perfect - but even four months later, no white smoke has emerged from Krems town hall. As reported, the city wants to buy the site of the church in Lerchenfeld from the diocese of St. Pölten. This was announced by SPÖ mayor Peter Molnar - shake hands with diocesan bishop Alois Schwarz included. The plans were preceded by a citizens' initiative that demanded 1000 signatures to preserve the park around the church as a local recreation area and placed these declarations in the hands of ÖVP deputy mayor Florian Kamleitner.

Around two million is to flow
However, because the two million euro transaction was not approved by the municipal council in October - as announced by the head of the city - the wait continues. "The population feels left in the lurch," says Kamleitner, who lives in the district himself, increasing the pressure: "Announcing but doing nothing is not enough." The SPÖ describes Kamleitner's comments as a "huge embarrassment". The negotiations with the diocese are "in the final phase".