The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag approves funding for reopening of TV Tower in Dresden

Dresden, November 8, 2018: In the context of historical monument protection, the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag decided on Thursday, November 8, to contribute to the funds required for the completion of construction work so that the Dresden TV Tower can be reopened. The resolution by the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag offers the unique opportunity to make sections of the Dresden TV Tower publicly accessible again. Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, Mayor Dirk Hilbert, and the Managing Director of Deutsche Funkturm, Bruno Jacobfeuerborn, welcome the decision:

Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer: “Dresden residents really care about the TV Tower. I’m delighted that it has been possible to acquire funding from the state. I would like to thank the Bundestag Member Thomas Jurk for his commitment. The opportunity to reopen the very popular viewing platform and restaurant to Dresden residents and their guests has never been this good. We should seize it confidently. Therefore, the state of Saxony will also support the project.”

Mayor Dirk Hilbert: “A feasibility study and operating concept are on the table. We are well on our way. This tailwind from Berlin allows us to continue our target-oriented work. A perspective for the Dresden TV Tower is in place and as a Dresden resident, this makes me especially happy. It will be a good amount of work, but we’re much closer to our goal. With this financing option, there is reasonable hope that we can look forward to a reopening of the Dresden TV Tower.”

Managing Director of Deutsche Funkturm, Bruno Jacobfeuerborn: “The TV Tower isn’t just an important radio site but also a significant landmark for Dresden. We are pleased to work on reopening this tower to the public together with the city, the state of Saxony and the federation.”

On behalf of the state capital Dresden, the architects of Grebner beraten + planen GmbH are preparing a feasibility study on the TV Tower, which the state of Saxony has already co-funded. It was presented at a citizens’ meeting on September 25, 2017. STESAD GmbH has created a conceptual study for the operation. In addition to the construction measures required for the reopening, the sustainable planning is based on a viable operating concept for the publicly accessible areas. During the next meeting of the “TV Tower” steering committee at Dresden’s City Hall, the current concepts will be evaluated and discussed based on the financing option. In addition to Mayor Dirk Hilbert and Fernsehturmverein Dresden e.V., the steering committee includes Deutsche Funkturm GmbH, Dresden City Council groups and administration employees.

The idea of bringing the TV Tower back to life can now become reality – the community engagement is being rewarded. What is needed now is a jointly coordinated financial plan to apply for federal funds. These would have to be supplemented by funding from the city and state of Saxony.

This is a shared press release by the Free State of Saxony, the City of Dresden and DFMG Deutsche Funkturm GmbH