The fate of the Western-themed town in Berlin-Spandau remains uncertain. The property owner, the district, and the Old Texas Town association, which has been operating the site, have failed to reach an agreement. The lease agreement officially expired at the end of August.
Constructive Dialogue Sought Amidst Stalled Negotiations
Spandau District Councillor Thorsten Schatz stated, “The Spandau district office continues to rely on constructive dialogue.” However, the owner of the property, Dr. Aldinger & Fischer Grundbesitz und Vermarktungs GmbH, views negotiations with the association as having failed.
Following the last joint discussion in November, the GmbH submitted a compromise proposal to all parties involved. “This provided for the lease agreement with Old Texas to be extended until the beginning of 2031,” the company announced.
Development Plan Preserves Western Theme
The owner also offered to cover six-figure costs incurred upon the return of the property. In return, the company sought the possibility for “commercial development” on the site. However, the development plan, established in 2012, explicitly designates the area as a “Western town special zone,” which does not permit such commercial development. The district has no intention of changing this plan.
The company criticized the Spandau district office and the Old Texas association for not responding to the compromise offer. Consequently, the company sees no alternative but to pursue legal action, implying a demand for eviction.
District Councillor Schatz countered this, stating that the owner’s offer to extend the lease for a few years, coupled with a demand for a later free pass for development, was unacceptable. “Nevertheless, we are still examining what a reliable contractual basis could look like that serves genuine negotiations.”
The ongoing dispute highlights a clash between the preservation of a unique cultural attraction and the potential for commercial development, with legal proceedings now appearing to be the next step in this unfolding situation.
