Bad Homburg v. d. Höhe. The Bad Homburg Municipal Spa Park Nursery is set to undergo a comprehensive transformation. The approximately 9,700-square-meter site is to be redeveloped in the coming years to make it future-proof, functional, and sustainable. To this end, extensive renovation measures are planned that will take into account both the historic character of the site and the current and future requirements of a modern maintenance facility.
“By redesigning the spa park nursery, we are laying the groundwork to ensure that this important part of the municipal maintenance yard remains well-positioned for the long term. We want to make sensible use of the existing space, replace outdated structures, and at the same time implement modern and sustainable solutions,” says City Councilmember Tobias Ottaviani.
About ten years ago, the cultivation of seasonal plantings was discontinued at the Kurpark nursery for economic reasons. A large portion of the greenhouses has been out of operation ever since. The cold frames that were once there were also dismantled to make way for meadows and storage areas.
Only the passageway hall in the historic social wing and a greenhouse used for overwintering plants are still heated during the winter months. The existing heating system is now severely outdated, prone to breakdowns, and oversized for the heating requirements still needed today.
The disused greenhouses also continue to incur ongoing maintenance costs of several thousand euros per year—including gutter cleaning, repairs to broken glass, and maintenance of the electrical ventilation systems. Therefore, the decommissioned greenhouses are to be dismantled as part of the redesign.
“Some of the current structures at the Kurpark Nursery date back to a time when operational requirements were quite different. The greenhouses that are no longer in use continue to incur costs, while our vehicle sheds and work areas no longer fully meet today’s standards for safety, functionality, and equipment. With the planned redesign, we’ll be able to organize our operations much more effectively in the future while also creating the conditions needed for our growing fleet of electric vehicles,” explains Stephan Rosik, director of the maintenance yard.
Vehicle garages also no longer meet requirements
In addition to the greenhouses, changes are also planned for the vehicle garages. Two of the three garages no longer meet today’s requirements in terms of functionality, equipment, and safety. There is a particular need for action regarding preventive fire safety. The garages currently house, among other things, agricultural equipment, trucks, and tractors. In addition, numerous small electric vehicles are charged there.
One of the two garages also houses a small workshop. These buildings are also slated for demolition as part of the redesign. The demolition of the greenhouses and the two vehicle garages will create the necessary space for a modern and multifunctional redesign of the site.
Demolition and the specific plans for the redesign are scheduled for next year.
New Vehicle Garage with Modern Charging Infrastructure
A modern vehicle garage is to be built on the site of the current greenhouses. In terms of equipment and functionality, it is designed to meet both the current and future needs of the municipal maintenance yard.
A key component is a state-of-the-art charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. This is intended to support the ongoing transition of the municipal fleet to zero-emission mobility.
In addition, the new garage will provide ample space for small equipment such as gardening tools and work machinery. A small workshop will also be reintegrated into the facility. It can be used in the future for maintenance, minor repairs, assembly, and refurbishment work.
Exploring the possibility of a new, accessible building for employees
Extensive renovation work is also planned for the historically protected social wing. Therefore, the possibility of constructing a new, accessible building for the employees of the Kurparkgärtnerei instead of renovating the existing structure is currently being evaluated.
The plans include modern restrooms and changing rooms, as well as a multipurpose room. This room is intended to serve as a break room for employees as well as a space for meetings and training sessions.
In addition, the feasibility of installing a larger cistern for storing and using rainwater is being evaluated. A photovoltaic system on the roofs of the buildings is also desirable.
Sustainable Development of the Maintenance Yard
The planned redesign aims to make the Kurpark Nursery more functional, safer, and more sustainable in the long term. Modern charging infrastructure, a potential solar power system, and the use of rainwater are intended to help conserve resources and make energy and water consumption more sustainable.
The reorganization of the Kurpark Nursery is thus another important building block in the future-oriented and sustainable development of the City of Bad Homburg’s municipal depot.
