National gov't worried about Amsterdam erotic center's effect on business climate
The national government has concerns about the impact Amsterdam’s plans for an Erotic Center on Zuidasdok near the RAI will have on the business climate, Parool reports based on internal memos released by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The Ministry never communicated these concerns to the municipality of Amsterdam, according to Parool.
Mayor Femke Halsema announced at the end of 2023 that the erotic center would be located on the Europaboulevaard, in the loop of the A10 near the RAI. On 17 January 2024, then-Minister Mark Harbers (VVD) wrote to Halsema, warning of the financial consequences and legal obstacles of placing the center in that location. “If there are no replacement locations in time that can guarantee the feasibility of the project, an environmental permit for a new development will have to be refused,” he warned.
Internal documents Parool now obtained showed that the Ministry had concerns beyond the legal and financial impact on Zuidasdok. It was also worried that the arrival of the erotic center would harm the area’s attractiveness for international companies. The European Medicines Agency (EMA), located on the Zuidas, had already spoken out against the plans. “The business climate was an important argument for the government when considering the usefulness/necessity of investments in Zuidasdok,” the newspaper quotes.
The Ministry also had concerns about the additional costs resulting from the choice of location for the erotic center. The Zuidasdok will be used until 2036 for the implementation of the Amstel Junction infrastructure project. The site where the erotic center is planned will be needed for construction activities for years to come. Amsterdam wants to start constructing the erotic center while the infrastructure project is still in full swing, which could entail risks and additional costs.
Amsterdam has always said that it will bear any additional costs itself. The Ministry previously also said that “it has been agreed administratively that changes to the Zuidasdok will be paid for by the party that causes the change.” But, according to Parool, the internal memos show that it is legally difficult to place these costs entirely on Amsterdam. “The additional costs due to the erotic centre are not expected to be demonstrable separately and will therefore probably not be reimbursed by Amsterdam,” Parool quoted from a memo.
The Amsterdam city council will discuss the erotic center again on Wednesday. The debate will focus on participation and consultation procedures, but several parties have told Parool that they want to discuss the potential legal battle with the Ministry of Infrastructure over additional costs and its concerns for entrepreneurs.
