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The Groninger Forum (formerly Huis van informatie en geschiedenis, "House of information and history) is a building under construction in the city of Groningen, Netherlands, with a planned completion in 2019. It is intended as a cultural center, housing a library, cinema, and parts of the Groninger Museum, with a 390-lot car park and 1500-lot bicycle park below it. The Forum is expected to receive 1.6 million visitors each year.
The building is part of larger reconstruction of the east side of the Grote Markt, the city's main square, which involves the construction of a new square, the Nieuwe Markt.
History
The east side of Groningen's Grote Markt was destroyed in World War II, and was replaced in the post-War years with buildings that have since lost their appeal. The Groningen municipality launched a plan in 2005 to reconstruct the east side, which immediately met opposition in the city council, notably from the local party Stadspartij and the Socialist Party. A referendum was held on 29 June 2005, asking inhabitants of the city to vote for or against the reconstruction plans. 53% voted in favor, 47% against; however, due to a turnout of only 38,59%, the results were declared invalid.
Building costs for the Forum are estimated at €71 million, of which €35 million are paid by the provincial government. While the province attempted to step out of the project in 2010, the threat of a lawsuit and work by a committee led by former national politician Jan Terlouw secured its renewed support in 2011. In September of that year, construction started with the demolishing of the existing buildings on the Grote Markt's east side, which include a shopping center and the student society of Vindicat.
To find a design for the new building, 7 possible models were created by different architects. The citizens of Groningen voted on their favourite design, which led to a top three, from which the municipal council chose one.