An event held on Wednesday, June 17, symbolically marked the start of the renovation of the 38 residential buildings—comprising 146 apartments—on Rheinstraße and Engeroder Straße in Salzgitter-Bad, which were acquired by the City of Salzgitter.

At the event, Mayor Frank Klingebiel emphasized: “I remember the Ostsiedlung from my childhood as an attractive and popular residential neighborhood. That’s where we want to return in the long term. By renovating the housing stock we’ve acquired and following up on the road improvements already completed on Engeroder Straße, we will not only significantly enhance the buildings, apartments, and the living environment but also provide momentum for sustainable, positive changes throughout the entire neighborhood. I am proud that the City of Salzgitter is actively participating in the revitalization of the neighborhood—not only as a funding provider but also as a new apartment owner. It is a true flagship project for the Ostsiedlung that sends a clear signal to other private apartment owners in the neighborhood. To achieve this, all parties involved have pulled together. I would especially like to thank former Minister-President Stephan Weil (SPD) and the former CDU state parliamentary group leader Dirk Toepffer for the substantial state financial support in the form of the 50 million euro “Structural Aid for Salzgitter” program, which I, as mayor, secured from the state of Lower Saxony together with State Representative Stefan Klein. Without this state funding, this major project would simply have been impossible for us. I would also like to thank everyone involved—especially the City Council, my staff, and the project managers—for the outstanding work they have done so far.”

First Mayor Stefan Klein shared this view: “Perseverance pays off. This applies both to the structural aid we secured and to the positive development of the neighborhood. With this renovation, we are making a significant contribution.”

Council Chairman Michael Letter agreed: “Housing is a basic need. The renovation of the city’s housing stock is significantly improving living conditions here.”

Local Mayor Andreas Triebe was delighted: “I hope the renovation will serve as a catalyst for the entire neighborhood, and I’d also like to thank everyone involved.”

Also present was Astrid Paus from the Office for Regional State Development, representing the funding agency. She said: “The start of the renovation is a very positive development for the neighborhood. It’s more than just a renovation—it’s an investment in the future of the entire neighborhood and the quality of life for the people living here. A successful collaboration between the state and the city of Salzgitter.”

Mayor Frank Klingebiel explains the renovation project: “By mid-2028, all 38 residential buildings are to undergo extensive exterior renovations. This includes facade renovation with insulation, replacement of the windows, and the redesign of the outdoor areas. Six of the buildings will also undergo extensive interior renovations, and their floor plans will be partially expanded. The remaining 32 buildings will then follow successively upon completion. A special feature is that the buildings at Rheinstraße 3 and 12 will be converted into model homes that are barrier-free and wheelchair-accessible. Elevators will be installed on the garden side of the buildings, and nearly all apartments in these buildings will have balconies.”

Klingebiel concludes by noting the costs and their financing: “The purchase of the 38 residential buildings from the private owner in 2021 was subsidized by the state with 4.7 million euros as part of the Salzgitter Structural Assistance Program. The total cost of the renovation project amounts to an additional approximately 15.4 million euros. About 10.8 million euros of this comes from the Salzgitter Structural Assistance Program, and just under 1.4 million euros comes from urban development funding—meaning an additional 12.2 million euros in state and federal funding.”