After the “Theater im Berg” variant was rejected in a referendum, the ÖVP preferred the Urfahr location, where the Ars Electronica Center is now located. The SPÖ, especially Linz Mayor Franz Dobusch, was against it. On February 27, 2004, the OÖN compared the two perspectives in interviews with the then state governor Josef Pühringer (VP) and Dobusch.
Pühringer: “Don’t understand the resistance against Urfahr”
OÖNachrichten: The VP wants Urfahr as a theater location. Do you think that the SP is only against it because of the risk of flooding?
Josef Pühringer: No, because there is a study that says it is technically possible. I find the resistance difficult to understand. The Urfahrmarkt would move up a bit and the entire area would benefit from the project – including the Urfahrmarkt. Nobody can like the fact that the silhouette of Urfahr is dominated by a large parking lot, with the exception of the Urfahr market period.
Would you also decide on the location with the Greens against the state SP?
A broad majority is required on this issue. A resolution by the VP and the Greens in the state would be of little use because the city of Linz is the property owner – we need the Linz SP. We should try to increase the areas of coverage between the parties without prejudice or political maneuvers. We need a theater that combines functionality and urban planning components, that has enough space and is not hidden.
The latter is an indication that you are excluding the old location.
It’s no secret that I don’t like the old location much. For me, that would only be conceivable as part of a very large solution that goes far beyond what is currently planned there.
Do you regret not going through with the Theater im Berg project four years ago?
Regretting is no longer necessary because we didn’t have an absolute majority back then. I have always emphasized that I think the Theater im Berg is the best solution. I don’t want the many people who also see this option as the best solution to say that I have given up prematurely. But if you can’t find a political majority for it, it’s not feasible.
What makes you believe that musical theater will still produce results?
Because no one who assumes responsibility can afford failure in this project.
Image: VOLKER WEIHBOLD
Dobusch: “Urfahr location would be a never-ending story”
OÖNachrichten: How are we supposed to reach an agreement on musical theater by March 31st when the parties are so far apart?
Franz Dobusch: If everyone is as flexible as the SP, which can imagine two locations, then there will be an agreement.
But the SP doesn’t even agree internally: State leader Erich Haider wants the old location, you don’t.
Erich Haider is willing to compromise; the location between Lentos and Donaupark is also feasible for him. If necessary, I can also imagine the old location – although the urban development aspect of the project would of course suffer. I would warn you against this: if you choose Urfahr, it will be a never-ending story.
Why are you really defending yourself so much against Urfahr?
I’m already getting tons of faxes again saying: “Please not Urfahr.” The market owners are against it; there has already been a signature campaign by the Chamber of Commerce against this location. There are enough opponents who would use the first Urfahrmarkt and collect signatures against the project. And when 50,000 or even 100,000 have signed, I would like to see what politicians do. Whether someone has the courage to just drive over it. In any case, I won’t drive over it.
The Donaupark project you favor is only third among the experts.
This decision cannot be made solely based on objective criteria. I consider the project between Lentos and Brucknerhaus to be extremely demanding in terms of urban development. If that succeeds, it would be awesome.
And the theater in the mountain?
Pühringer was attracted to this, but Haider and Green Party leader Anschober have both officially said that this is no longer an issue. If Pühringer doesn’t get a majority at the state level, if his coalition partner doesn’t even get behind him, then it no longer matters to us in Linz.
On July 29, 2004 the decision was finally made for Blumauerplatz. It was not completed by the time of the Capital of Culture year in 2009, but the music theater finally opened on April 11, 2013. The total cost was 186.4 million euros.
