Orpeaue in Wrexen is being remodelled: Promotion for the Diemelstadt
At a site visit to the so-called Orpeaue along the Mühlgraben in Wrexen, District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst was able to present the town of Diemelstadt with an early Christmas present. The municipality will receive financial support totalling around 139,000 euros for the "redesign of an open space in the town centre". The total investment amounts to around 263,000 euros, meaning that the town has to raise around 124,000 euros of its own funds. This involves two partial grants: firstly, the purchase of a plot of land with a house on Mühlgraben and the demolition of the house (grant amount approx. 96,000 euros) and secondly, the purchase and remodelling of the adjacent open space (grant amount approx. 43,000 euros).
District Administrator van der Horst praised the town for its exemplary commitment to village renewal: "Diemelstadt has shown for many years how the funding opportunities can be optimally utilised." What he particularly likes about the project in Wrexen is the high level of commitment from the local community - the impetus for the remodelling of the Orpeaue as part of the village development came from the local advisory council. In this context, he was also proud to mention the district's specialised village and regional development service, which, as a point of contact with experienced specialists, provided extremely competent support for the individual development measures in the municipalities, said the district administrator.
"The local community of Wrexen and the local advisory council had wanted to redesign the area at Mühlgraben for a long time," said Mayor Andreas Fritz, explaining the village development plans for Wrexen. The Orpeaue directly on the Diemel cycle path and as the starting point of the R6 long-distance cycle path has proven itself as an inner village meeting point; the area has developed into a village centre with shops, a bank branch and a fountain.
After initial planning of the area, the opportunity arose to purchase the vacant residential building and the neighbouring property. According to the mayor, the town did not hesitate for long, initiating the purchase immediately after the application for funding and adapting the redesign plans accordingly. "This gives us the opportunity to strengthen the local retail trade and drive forward urban development, as additional space can be made available and the Orpeaue can be remodelled in a much more attractive and extensive way." Together with the Wrexen local council, the Bioline office from Lichtenfels has developed a redesign that will noticeably improve the quality of life in Wrexen.
Thanks to the funding, this largest municipal project as part of the village development programme can now begin. The land has already been purchased and the demolition of the house is planned for next year. The measures to redesign the Orpeaue are on the municipal construction programme for 2026 and 2027 - in line with the receipt of the funding.
In conclusion, the mayor reminded the audience that the village development funding phase could also be utilised by private developers. "We would be delighted if the Wrexer example of how the funding opportunities can be utilised would provide an impetus for further investments to improve the infrastructure." Applications for funding can still be submitted over the next three years until mid-2027. The Bioline project office and the village and regional development department are supporting the process. Architect Urte Friedrich is available for initial free advice and planning. She can be contacted on 05635 232 or 0151 19449477 or by email at ute.friedrich@uf-architektur.de.
Background
The town of Diemelstadt had already made the area on the Orpeaue, known as the Mühlgraben, available to the public for free use. With seating, steps leading down to the Mühlgraben and a swallow house, it offers locals an attractive place to spend time. As the area is also located directly on the Diemel cycle path, holidaymakers who are cycling or hiking can also get an insight into the local leisure activities on overview boards.
However, half of the area was still owned by a community of heirs, together with the neighbouring property on which the vacant residential building is located. The house is out of the question for refurbishment, as the costs would exceed any future benefits many times over. The purchase of the property means that the Orpeauen area becomes the full property of the municipality, thus enabling it to be remodelled as part of the village development.
What the town of Diemelstadt is planning there on the Mühlgraben is something to be proud of. New benches with bicycle stands and a shelter hut are to be built for the many users of the Diemel cycle path. New information steles and sculptures will create a link to historical paper production in Wrexen. Particularly appealing for children: a water feature will put the watercourse centre stage. Overall, the area will be made even more attractive by extensive planting.