City Wants to Buy Zilverfabriek for Housing town hall
The Voorschoten Cultural Foundation ( executive board ) wants to purchase the Zilverfabriek and establish the new “ town hall ” there. The Foundation for Cultural Development ( executive board ) recently shared this plan with the city council. The Cultural Foundation ( executive board ) would like to discuss the future use of the current “ town hall ” with the city council and partners such as the library. Instead of the non-historic outbuildings, the Cultural Foundation ( executive board ) is considering a new construction project. In six weeks, the city council will decide whether the Foundation for Cultural Development ( executive board ) may indeed purchase the Zilverfabriek.
The “ town hall ” at Burgemeester Berkhoutpark is severely outdated. To address this, the city council was presented with five scenarios last summer. It chose Scenario E. This means that the municipality will develop a detailed design for a largely new “ town hall ” at the same location. The so-called “mother house” will be preserved. Surrounding it will be new buildings housing, among other things, offices, meeting rooms, the library, and social service organizations. The design was scheduled to be presented to the council in September.
Unique opportunity
In late January, an unexpected opportunity arose for the town hall: the Zilverfabriek was put up for sale. “We were already well on our way with plans for renovation and new construction at our current location,” says Pieter Varekamp, Alderman . “But the Zilverfabriek holds such historical significance for Voorschoten, and the opportunity to acquire it was so unique that we decided to enter into negotiations after all. Moreover, everything we have in mind fits right in there: from service counters for residents and offices for civil servants to a council chamber with space for the press and the public. In addition, the location is easily accessible and also offers sufficient space for social organizations. So, in fact, we are now asking the council to consider Scenario F.”
Definite decision on 4 June
Negotiations between the owner of the Zilverfabriek and the municipality were concluded in April. The municipality signed a letter of intent, which included, among other things, the condition precedent that the council approve the deal. The council had already been informed, but now the “ executive board ” is also making the news public. The council has six weeks to raise any requests or concerns. It will make a final decision at the meeting on June 4. If the decision is positive, it will take about a year and a half before the Zilverfabriek is internally renovated and converted into an “ town hall.”