Million dollar debacle – “The truth only came to light in bits and pieces” – News


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A lot went wrong during the 141 million franc renovation of Basel’s St. Jakobshalle, the Audit and Finance Commission criticize in its special report.

  • The renovation of the hall, which was built in 1975, became more expensive several times.
  • Supervisory commissions criticize that the hall still “does not meet the standard of a comparable hall”.
  • The interests of users were given less weight than the urban planning aspects, criticize the Audit and Finance Commission in their special report.

Basel-Stadt invested 141 million francs in the renovation of the St. Jakobs-Halle. Nevertheless, the two supervisory bodies state in their published report that the hall “does not meet the standard of a comparable hall even in 2024” – “despite cost-intensive renovation.”

The opening

The commissions cite the food as an example of how poorly the hall functions. “For example, sausages or French fries cannot be freshly prepared in the catering area.”

During the renovation, the urban planning aspects were given greater weight than those of the users, according to the commissions in their special report. This is despite the fact that the cantonal parliament spent the money on the functionality and purpose of the building, not on its aesthetics.

Even now it still has deficiencies that urgently need to be addressed.

“The worm has been in the works for a long time” at St. Jakobshalle, says Michela Seggiani from the Finance Commission. The problems started very early.

The 141 million francs that have been invested in the renovation so far are probably not all: “It still has deficiencies that urgently need to be remedied.” She cannot estimate how much money will still flow.

Debacle at the Biozentrum too


Open the box
Close the box

The criticism of the renovation of the St. Jakobshalle reminds many in Basel-Stadt of the debacle surrounding the new building of the Biozentrum. This was around 100 million francs more expensive than estimated and opened four years later than planned. The parliamentary investigative commission (PUK), which investigated the events and made the results public two years ago, criticized the fact that the key parameters had not been described in sufficient detail in advance. The risk and quality management was also too weak and too many positions were involved.

There were also problems with the new construction of the art museum. After the opening, it was discovered that condensation was running into an exhibition room. In addition, too little money had been budgeted for the operation. The government increased its amount.

Taxpayers were also asked to pay because of the Felix Platter Hospital. The retirement hospital was opened in 2019. It soon became clear that it could not cover the depreciation itself. The canton stepped in with around 92 million francs.

Seggiani continued that there has been a “sword of Damocles” hanging over large construction projects since the new Biocenter was built, which opened in autumn 2021. “Everyone involved is afraid that there will be another disaster like this.” This is also why the renovation of the St. Jakobshalle was examined more closely.

The truth only came to light in bits and pieces.

A construction cost statement is still not available, adds Tim Cuénod from the Audit Commission. “There were constant night cash advances. And the truth only came to light in bits and pieces.”

Former government councilor denies guilt

However, not everyone involved wants to accept the criticism of the supervisory commissions. Former education director Christoph Eymann says: “I don’t see any faults in myself, although I always try to be self-critical.” His education department “hit the brick wall” with the building department when it wanted to voice the concerns of those who used the hall.

The former construction director, who is now being attacked by his former government colleague, does not want to comment. Nobody from the current government is currently saying anything about the criticism of the supervisory commissions.

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