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 – most of which was already dedicated to building land. A strip along the federal highway dedicated to public traffic should become a building site for the operating area, 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 the 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 National Council member 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.
What steps is Mayor Ramharter taking to address the concerns of the Mauthausen Memorial regarding historical preservation?
**Interview with Mayor Andreas Ramharter**
**Editor**: Mayor Ramharter, thank you for joining us today. There has been significant criticism surrounding the recent sale of the property by your company for 15.25 million euros, along with the concerns over potential bias connected to your position. How do you respond to these allegations?
**Mayor Ramharter**: Thank you for having me. I want to firmly state that I see no bias in this transaction. We ensured compliance with all relevant legal requirements and addressed the issue of bias on multiple occasions. The sale was conducted transparently, and the profits generated from the deal were part of a longstanding plan for that area.
**Editor**: The Mauthausen Memorial raised concerns over the commercial development of land that holds historical significance. They mentioned several attempts to initiate a dialogue, which reportedly failed. Can you elaborate on your engagement with them?
**Mayor Ramharter**: We did engage with the Mauthausen Memorial and the Federal Monuments Office. We conducted ground radar surveys and made agreements to preserve certain historical elements, such as refraining from building basements. It’s crucial to note that we approached this process with a focus on cooperation and respect for history.
**Editor**: Critics have described the construction plans as “an unbearable forgetfulness of history” and called for federal intervention. How do you reconcile these sentiments with your commitments to development?
**Mayor Ramharter**: I understand the sensitivity surrounding this issue. However, the area has been designated for operational purposes for some time, and several similar sites have been successfully repurposed without erasing history. We are committed to being responsible stewards of the land while facilitating development that meets community needs.
**Editor**: There are calls from various parties, such as the Green Party and NEOS, for reforms regarding conflicts of interest for mayors in real estate. Do you believe these criticisms are warranted?
**Mayor Ramharter**: I think it’s essential to have discussions about control mechanisms and governance structures. However, it’s also important to evaluate each situation on its own merits rather than making blanket statements. Our local council is taking careful consideration of this matter, ensuring that all processes are followed.
**Editor**: As local council elections approach in January 2025, how do you plan to address these controversies to regain public trust?
**Mayor Ramharter**: Our objective will be to foster transparency and dialogue with the community. We want to ensure that residents feel heard and that their concerns are taken into account. Moving forward, we will work hard to demonstrate our commitment to both historical preservation and responsible development.
**Editor**: Thank you, Mayor Ramharter, for sharing your perspective on this complex issue.
**Mayor Ramharter**: Thank you, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss it.
