Rostock/Schwerin (dpa/mv) – Representatives of the city of Rostock and various state ministries discussed future urban development together for the first time. “The aim of the working group is to work out how Rostock can be further developed in terms of urban development even without the Federal Horticultural Show being held,” said the responsible Ministry of Finance in Schwerin on Tuesday. The archaeological state museum, the Warnow Bridge, flood protection at the city harbour, the Volkstheater and the Warnow district have priority.

“We continue to stand by our promises that the state will support the construction of the Volkstheater with 51 million euros and that the archaeological state museum will be built in the city harbor with 40 million euros of state funds,” said Finance Minister Heiko Geue (SPD). For the other projects, any support from the state remains to be seen.

According to the state government, the city administration is grateful for the tailwind. Even without the Federal Horticultural Show, Rostock’s projects would “shape the future significantly,” said Andreas Schulz, head of the mayor’s office. They should “radiate far beyond national borders”.

On November 13, the city will elect a successor to the previous mayor, Claus Ruhe Madsen. In June, he moved to Schleswig-Holstein as Economics Minister in the cabinet of Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU). Previously, he was also criticized for the failed organization of the Federal Horticultural Show.