Steeped in history and soon like new

Provost Rainer B. Irmgedruth (left) and Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich put the spade to their joint building site.

The currently barely visible, historically significant church square is thus to be integrated more strongly into public life. The plans for the construction project were developed in close cooperation with the Catholic parish of St. Stephen. Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich thanked all project participants and sponsors at the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. "With the redesign, we will upgrade the square and make it more prominent." He also referred to the canal renewals and modelling to protect the surrounding buildings from heavy rain. Provost Rainer B. Irmgedruth spoke of a "joint venture project" and hopes that the new church square will be well received by all.

"Peace" in 27 languages
The plans include the following measures: The same concrete paving stones and natural stone slabs as on the redesigned market square will be used for the paths, with slightly different formats. In the niches of the church, a so-called "cat's head paving" will be laid. The area is bordered by a bronze band inserted into the paving. There, sayings and texts prepared by the parish of St. Stephen's will be placed for 220 metres. As a recognisable feature, the word "peace" will be read between the individual texts in 27 different languages.

Protection against heavy rainfall
The adjacent properties will be better protected against heavy rainfall in the future through the construction of new storage channels, a new sewer system in the area of the northern path and through terrain modelling and gutters. The tree population on the square will be preserved.

The measure is accompanied by attractive and informative construction fence banners.

Garden of Remembrance
In the vicinity of the church, the entire construction project is being accompanied archaeologically by the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe. It goes without saying that the removed remains will be treated with reverence. To this end, the "Garden of Remembrance" will be created on the east side of the church, enclosed by a hedge of copper beech. On the square, new benches and a revolving stone will be installed next to the granite stone heavenly mirror with a dammed-up water surface. To illuminate the church square and the church, 17 pole lights and 32 floor lights will be installed.

Information about the construction site
During the construction work, attractively designed construction fence banners with the motto "Acting together - shaping the future" provide information about the planned measure. The City of Beckum's website also provides regular updates on the progress of the construction work. A construction site telephone number 29-2929 provides a direct line for questions and comments about the construction project.

Facts and figures:

• Three construction phases were defined: the Kirchplatz road, the pathway north of the Kirchplatz and the Kirchplatz itself.
• The works for the redesign of the Kirchplatz, the street Kirchplatz and the northern path area Kirchplatz as well as the selective sewer rehabilitation were awarded to the company STRATIEF GmbH from Lippstadt for about 2,888,000 Euros.
• The Münster district government has approved a grant of around 900,000 euros from state and federal funds for the entire redesign of the St. Stephanus church square.
• The parish and the town of Beckum cover the additional costs on a pro rata basis.
• Planned execution time: 22 May 2023 to 15 April 2024
• Total area of the construction project: 3 800 square metres
• The measure is part of the "Integrated Action and Measures Concept for the City Centre of Beckum".

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