Guest Article by Stefanie Kießling
Bad Liebenstein's revitalized town square nears completion despite industry hurdles
Construction work on Bad Liebenstein's new town square, which began last year, continues to generate significant public interest. The city is therefore providing an update on the project's current progress.
The first phase of construction—covering the entrance area from Herzog-Georg-Straße and the future gastronomy terraces—has been largely completed by the contracted firm, Bauservice Krause.
Only a small section near the raised flower beds remains unpaved, as the required materials are currently unavailable due to ongoing supply shortages in the construction sector. These delays are partly linked to international crises, including the conflict in Iran.
Once these final touches are completed and a solution is found for the outstanding sections of the raised beds, the newly designed terrace areas will be released for gastronomic use.
Meanwhile, the next phase of construction—which includes paving work, the installation of a fountain, electrical installations, landscaping, and planting for the main town square—was publicly tendered in March.
The awarding of contracts is scheduled for the Building Committee meeting on April 23. This follows the clarification of budgetary regulations and funding conditions, which were prerequisites for the process.
Work on this phase is expected to begin in June, with completion of the central square area planned by October.
"The new town square is a key project for the development of our city center. We are creating a modern, vibrant meeting place with high-quality amenities for both residents and visitors. I am all the more pleased that, despite the current challenges in the construction industry, we are making good progress," emphasizes Mayor Susanne Rakowski.
A positive note is that the majority of the required materials were procured as early as last year. By acting swiftly, the city anticipated rising prices and supply bottlenecks, securing its position in a strained market.
Background
With this overall project, the city of Bad Liebenstein aims to establish a central urban and spa hub with exceptional amenities. The initiative is based on the integrated urban development concept, which previously identified the need for functional and aesthetic upgrades to the area near the New Spa Park.
As a first step, the extension of the spa promenade was completed. Today, it serves as a vital pedestrian link and is widely used by both locals and visitors.
Following this, open spaces with seating and planted raised beds were created, quickly becoming popular gathering spots.
The town square now under construction represents the project's centerpiece. Plans include high-quality paving with a distinctive pattern, a fountain, and leisure areas that can also host events in the future.
Total investment for the project amounts to approximately €1.5 million, with around two-thirds of the costs covered by urban development funding.
