Memorandum for the Electoral Palace
Construction site officially opened on July 3, 2009
The chairwoman of the Mainz Monument Network, Erika Friderichs, together with Günther Franz and Prof. Dr. Dethard von Winterfeld, presented the current memorandum in favor of a "comprehensive restoration and sustainable revitalization of the Electoral Palace in Mainz and its surroundings" to Mayor Jens Beutel and Norbert Schüler, head of the Department of Construction and Monuments.
As early as 1897, leading experts had drafted a memorandum against the decades of neglect of the Electoral Palace. Leading German architects had already worked together in a commission for the restoration of the palace in 1897, more than 100 years ago. On the initiative of the Mainz Monument Network, experts have now summarized their thoughts and comments on the status and significance of the "Electoral Palace" cultural monument, the status of the proceedings, requirements and objectives, and necessary actions in a memorandum.
The complete content of the current memorandum and the old memorandum "Gesichtspunkte zur Beratung über die Restauration des Kurfürstlichen Schlosses zu Mainz" (Points to consider in the consultation on the restoration of the Electoral Palace in Mainz) can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.
Start of construction at Mainz Castle on July 3, 2009
On July 3, 2009, Mayor and Head of the Department of Historic Preservation Jens Beutel, Mayor Norbert Schüler, and Chairwoman of the Mainz Historic Preservation Network Erika Friderichs invited guests to the official opening of the construction site in the courtyard of the Electoral Palace. Also present was Ursula Thomas, head of the project department at the German Foundation for Monument Protection (DSD), which is supporting the work on Mainz Palace this year with €500,000 in collaboration with the Monument Network.
Before the symbolic "first chisel stroke," Mayor Jens Beutel explained that €950,000 is currently available for the urgently needed work: €300,000 in construction and maintenance funds from the Mainz Building Authority (GWM), plus €75,000 each from the federal and state governments, €250,000 from the Mainz Monument Network, and another €250,000 from the German Foundation for Monument Protection (DSD). "A further €400,000 is expected from the funds of the Economic Stimulus Package II," said Beutel. "We have not yet received written confirmation from Berlin, but we have received verbal confirmation." Beutel expressed particular gratitude for the numerous private donations.