Fronhofer Galeria in Bad Godesberg Opening date gets closer
Bad Godesberg · After June’s disastrous storms, the clean-up operation is almost over. The first businesses are due to open in the next few weeks.
Businesses in the Fronhofer Galeria are getting ready for a new start after the unbelievable damage caused by June’s storms. “Our branch should reopen on 12 December,” said Andreas Engelmann, acting spokesperson for Tchibo when asked by the General Anzeiger.
Deichmann spokeswoman Johanna Pistor did not name a specific date but spoke about a “joint reopening of the centre.” Martina Bender from dm also thinks customers will be able to use the drug store, “probably by the middle of December.”
Architect Helmut Raab said H&M had been able to open its doors in the middle of November because the shop had an entrance and exit outside the Galeria directly onto Fronhof. Raab told the General Anzeiger that shoppers would not be able to park their cars in the centre’s underground car park straight away. This would probably first be in use again in the middle of February.
Around four million litres of water entered the Galeria and underground garage during the storms on 4 June. Raab said around 7000 square metres were affected. The architect said the quantity of water did untold damage. In the underground garage, the insulation had to be torn out because it had taken in water. This was a difficult procedure because, “It’s hazardous waste of which only a certain number of cubic metres can be disposed of each day.”
The fire doors in the cellar did not withstand the water pressure, “they well and truly collapsed.” And, “the brickwork was crooked or completely broken,” said Raab. That is really saying something, as the walls are 24 centimetres thick. And that was not all: the electrics, ventilation and technology was destroyed not to mention escalators, lifts, heating, air conditioning, electricity and the phone system. Raab said all this needed to be completely renewed.
It was not only the water that was responsible for the enormous damage. Raab said when the water subsided, huge amounts of mud were left. It took 120 men six weeks to remove it all.
The dehumidification of the building could only begin when this had gone. 250 machines were used and holes were drilled in the floor at one and a half metre intervals through which air was blown in and out. It took eight weeks until the screed was dry. Although the upper level was not affected by water, the ceiling had to be renewed because of the formation of spores. However, Raab said it was generally the damage to the lower level and to the technical facilities that meant the businesses had to remain closed for so long.
(Original text: Ayla Jacob. Translated by Kate Carey)
