In order to secure medical care in Kevelaer in the future, the council and administration of the pilgrimage town of Kevelaer decided to build a health center on the Hüls opposite the Elaya Hotel. The plans envisaged the construction of three apartment buildings with publicly subsidized housing next to the site of the health center.
Initial discussions about the planned health center were held with interested doctors and therapists from Kevelaer and the surrounding area in late summer 2023. At the end of November 2023, the plans for the entire construction project were finalized by the investor ZEVENS Grundbesitz GmbH & Co. KG and the planning office Dr. Völling und Partner were presented.
The planned health center was to house various medical practices and other health services. The aim was to create sustainable practices and also offer space for a wide variety of working time models.
The plans for the health center were prompted by information from the Kevelaer medical profession, as it was thought that some of them would leave the Kevelaer location if no new offer was created. However, most of the 16 people who were initially interested have now withdrawn from the project and lost interest. Despite numerous discussions, a needs survey and individual meetings in which planning drafts were presented, only a few now want to move into the premises of the planned health center.
"We are really very disappointed. The plans for the health center were developed at the request of the medical community in Kevelaer. We were determined to secure medical care here locally," emphasizes Dr. Dominik Pichler.
During the planning phase, there were points that met with disapproval from interested doctors and therapists. However, the city found solutions to these issues and made improvements. The building permit procedures were also processed by the administration as quickly as possible.
The plans presented will not be implemented to this extent due to the ultimately insufficient interest. Politicians and the administration remain committed to the implementation of affordable housing. A decision on how to proceed with the site for the health center will now be made at a special council meeting.
Most of the apartments are planned for one to two people and are therefore ideal for single parents with children or pensioners. Each residential building is to comprise 14 residential units, making a total of 42 rental units available. The rent will be €6.20 per square meter.