
© Chris Meisch
While the responsible ministries have presented a plan for the future of the building, the Municipality of Luxembourg City appears to be dissatisfied with the result.
In a recent reply to a parliamentary question, Minister of Culture Sam Tanson stated that the building's first floor is to be used as office space for the judicial authorities, while the ground floor is to be divided into space for a restaurant and a few rooms reserved for cultural activities. Tanson added that the Ministry of Education has requested the installation of a permanent exhibition on the Luxembourgish language.
However, the Municipality of Luxembourg City appears to be disappointed by these plans, with Serge Wilmes, a member of the municipal executive, stating that the Council thinks it is "not enough" to use this "historic building in the heart of the city" for offices and another restaurant. According to Wilmes, this would be a "wasted opportunity" and would not do justice to "the soul and history of this building".
Instead, the municipal authorities want the building to be turned into a space for children. Wilmes explained that "at least" the ground floor should be used as a space where children could "discover everyday life in a playful way and get answers to their questions". The place could also host plays and public readings, the politician from the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) added, stating that he reckons a type of "children's museum" could work very well at the location. On the other hand, the Municipal Council is not convinced that families would travel to the capital because there is an exhibition about the Luxembourgish language, he explained.
Wilmes clarified that the municipal authorities had in fact shared this wish with Minister for Public Works François Bausch, who was allegedly "not opposed" to the idea. For this reason, the Municipality does not want to give up just yet, the local politician stressed, adding that he is optimistic that a middle ground could be reached.
The Municipality does acknowledge the spatial needs of the judicial authorities. Serge Wilmes thinks that the Municipality's idea and the projects of the responsible ministries could all be integrated on the ground floor.