Mayor Andreas Ramharter’s real estate company (List Zukunft Leobersdorf) sold the property for 15.25 million euros and received an extra 1.34 million through reallocation, reported “WZ”, “Falter” and ORF. When asked, Ramharter defended the deal and saw no bias. Criticism came from several quarters.
According to reports, Ramharter’s holding company acquired the land in 2021 and sold it to a building contractor in two tranches over the following two years. The contracts contained two so-called purchase price improvements in connection with reallocations until the end of 2024 on the meadow – which was largely already dedicated to building land. A strip along the federal highway dedicated to public traffic should become a building site, and a second public traffic area should become a private road. Ramharter’s company committed to “actively pursue these rezonings in good faith and to support them in the best possible way,” as it was stated in both purchase agreements, according to reports.
“Attempts to bring about dialogue failed”
The reallocations were carried out with local council resolutions in 2023 and this year in September, and the mayor himself also agreed. “As the market town of Leobersdorf, we have dealt with the issue of bias on several occasions and also pay very close attention to compliance with the relevant legal requirements,” said Ramharter, according to the reports. The mayor confirmed on Wednesday when asked that there was no bias. He did not comment on purchase prices.
According to the media, the Mauthausen Memorial emphasized in a written statement: “Immediately after the planned use of the area for commercial purposes became known, the Mauthausen Memorial drew attention to the problem of commercial development.” But “repeated attempts to bring about a dialogue failed.”
“We handled it cleanly”
Ramharter, on the other hand, spoke of contact with the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office: “We worked through it properly and always sought cooperation.” For example, ground radar surveys and explorations were carried out in the area. It was agreed not to build basements in order to preserve the foundations, said Ramharter. The designation as an operating area has existed for a long time. He also noted that several areas that served as camps during wartime had already been repurposed.
According to the reports, the Federal Monuments Office confirmed that it had held “discussions with stakeholders”. We have no influence on zoning. The area is not under monument protection. There are, among other things, the foundations of barracks on the grounds in Leobersdorf where the Hirtenberg concentration camp subcamp stood. “From the current perspective, these remains – even in comparison with other former, archaeologically identifiable camps that are under monument protection – are not sufficient within the meaning of the Monument Protection Act to place them under monument protection,” said the Federal Monuments Office, according to reports.
“Unbearable oblivion of history”
The SPÖ spokeswoman for the culture of remembrance, Sabine Schatz, described the construction plans on Wednesday as an “unbearable forgetfulness of history” and called for the project to be stopped. “The historical responsibility towards the victims of the Nazi era requires that these places be treated with respect,” said the member of the National Council in a broadcast. “The fact that profits were made by repurposing these areas has a very pale aftertaste.” She called for federal intervention to secure the site as a memorial site in the long term. SPÖ federal women’s chairwoman Eva-Maria Holzleitner believes it is important to “carry on the memory of the fate of women under National Socialism.”
“What we are observing here is a frightening example of how historically sensitive land is dealt with when economic interests are in the foreground,” criticized Helga Krismer, club leader of the Lower Austria Green Party, in a press release. The planned construction project is “an example of the worrying development of spatial planning” in the state: “It is particularly worrying that there are always people profiting from this development in the mayor’s environment.” Krismer announced an application to amend the Lower Austrian Spatial Planning Act, which provides for a ban on development on historically contaminated properties.
“Need for action regarding control mechanisms”
NEOS state party leader Indra Collini saw “an enormous need for action in the control mechanisms within municipalities” as well as the need to think about a stricter values compass for mayors. “In the case of the Leobersdorf case, it will be necessary to examine exactly what the local council knew in this complex rezoning vote and what perhaps it did not,” she said in a broadcast.
“The questionable property deals show once again that there are massive structural problems in spatial planning,” WWF soil protection spokesman Simon Pories called for competence reforms as well as stricter laws and controls in a broadcast. In addition, it must be ruled out that mayors are allowed to work in the real estate or construction industry at the same time, because this opens the door to potential incompatibilities when rezoning.
The Future Leobersdorf list holds the absolute majority in the local council. In 2020, 53.30 percent was achieved. Local council elections will take place in Lower Austria in January 2025, and Ramharter will be the top candidate for the Future Leobersdorf list.
How do local governments balance historical preservation and commercial development in real estate deals?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter on Recent Real Estate Deal Controversy**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Mayor Ramharter. You’ve recently been in the news regarding a controversial real estate deal involving your company and a site in Leobersdorf. Can you explain the circumstances behind the sale of the property for 15.25 million euros?
**Mayor Ramharter**: Thank you for having me. The sale of the property happened after my holding company acquired the land in 2021. Over the course of two years, we sold it to a contractor in two tranches, benefiting from purchase price improvements related to rezonings. Throughout this process, we adhered to all legal requirements and procedural transparency.
**Editor**: Some critics have raised concerns about potential bias due to your dual role as a mayor and a real estate businessman. How do you respond to these allegations?
**Mayor Ramharter**: I understand the concern, but I assure you, there was no bias in this deal. The local council and I have thoroughly examined these issues. We’ve had several discussions surrounding bias, and I believe we handled everything with due diligence.
**Editor**: The Mauthausen Memorial has expressed distress over the planned commercial development on this historically sensitive land. Can you elaborate on the steps taken to work with them?
**Mayor Ramharter**: We initiated contact with both the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office. We aimed for collaboration, conducting ground surveys and agreeing not to build basements to preserve the historical foundations. It’s important to note that the site had already been designated for development for an extended period.
**Editor**: Critics from various political parties, including the SPÖ and the Green Party, have described this deal as a troubling exploitation of historical sites for profit. What is your stance on this sentiment?
**Mayor Ramharter**: I find such claims troubling and misrepresentative. Our intention is not to forget history but to navigate how we can best use the land while acknowledging its past. Several historical sites have evolved positively under new development, and our city must continue to grow.
**Editor**: There are calls for stronger regulations and controls regarding local leaders engaging in real estate transactions that involve their towns. What is your opinion on this?
**Mayor Ramharter**: I believe in the importance of governance and transparency, and I’m open to discussions on how we can improve oversight in all municipalities. However, it’s essential to maintain a balance that does not hinder development completely.
**Editor**: As we look ahead, how do you plan to approach the upcoming local council elections and any potential fallout from this issue?
**Mayor Ramharter**: Elections are about presenting our record and vision for the future. We will continue to uphold transparency and be open for conversation, aiming to reassure the public that our decisions are made with integrity. I remain committed to serving Leobersdorf and addressing any of its concerns effectively.
**Editor**: Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for sharing your thoughts on this complex issue. We appreciate your time.
**Mayor Ramharter**: Thank you for having me.
