Key Takeaways
- Decision: The Winzerla district council votes against the new construction.
- Result: 6 votes against to 2 votes in favor.
- Alternative: Focus on utilizing the existing Goetheschule.
- Consequence: Recommendation for the Stadtrat to reconsider the matter.
Jena-Winzerla (13.02.2026) – In the latest meeting of the Winzerla district council, a trend-setting decision for the neighborhood was on the agenda. The discussion focused on the future of the planned Bürgerbegegnungszentrum (Citizen Encounter Center) – a project intended to significantly shape the social infrastructure of the district. However, instead of giving the green light for the excavators, the committee hit the brakes on Thursday evening.
The Vote: Rejection of the New Construction
The result of the vote was clear: with six to two votes, the members of the district council spoke out against the current plans for a new building. Such a positioning by the local body carries weight, as the Ortsteilrat acts as a direct mouthpiece for the residents of Winzerla and represents the interests of the neighborhood to the city administration and the Stadtrat.
While the resolution is formally a recommendation, it sends a clear political signal to the Jena Stadtrat: the plans as they currently stand lack local acceptance. The committee demands that the city’s political decision-makers must address the issue once again.
Returning to Existing Assets: The Goetheschule Option
However, the rejection of the new construction is not synonymous with a rejection of a community center itself. On the contrary: the need for premises for associations, culture, and social exchange is undisputed in a district as populous as Winzerla. Yet, the district council proposes a different path.
Instead of sealing more soil and spending resources on a completely new building, the focus should be directed toward existing alternatives. Specifically, the Goetheschule was brought into play. The use of existing properties is increasingly coming to the fore in modern urban development – whether for reasons of sustainability (“gray energy”), heritage protection, or cost savings.
The idea of repurposing a historically grown building like a former school into the heart of social life has its charm. Often, such buildings already offer good conditions for diverse uses due to their spatial structure, though they also present planners with challenges regarding accessibility and energy-efficient renovation.
Background: The Importance of Encounter Centers
Citizen encounter centers play a central role in Jena’s neighborhood development. They serve as “Third Places” – spaces that are neither home nor workplace, but serve for informal stays and networking. Especially in large residential estates and districts in transition, such as Winzerla, they are essential for social cohesion.
Here, senior circles, youth groups, counseling services, and cultural events find a roof. The discussion in Winzerla shows that citizens are very much capable of differentiating: they want these services, but they also want a say in where and how they are realized. The debate of new construction versus renovation is a classic of local politics.
What Happens Next?
With the vote from Winzerla, the ball is now back in the court of the Jena Stadtrat and the city administration. It is customary for the administration to now examine the extent to which the “Goetheschule” alternative is feasible – both technically and financially. Should the advantages of using the existing structure be confirmed, the planning would have to be adjusted.
It remains to be seen whether the Stadtrat follows the vote from Winzerla or if further discussions about financing and timelines will occur. What became clear yesterday evening is that a simple “walk-through” for the new building is off the table.
We will stay tuned to the development and report as soon as there is a reaction from the city hall.