The state of Thuringia and the city of Jena have pledged extensive support to the project with the options available to them. Joint plans with the city will include constructing new transportation options and parking lots, addressing any legacy issues and ensuring a sustainable energy strategy.
The state will develop the old ZEISS premises through the State Development Corporation of Thuringia (LEG); this will soon offer excellent opportunities for other companies, institutes and carve-outs to be accommodated here. The LEG will also be used as a key contact for realizing the project at the new ZEISS site.
“The project is good news for both the state and the city,” emphasizes State Minister for Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow. “With investments in the high-tech Jena site totaling over EUR 300 million, the company is looking to the future and thus safeguarding its competitiveness on the world stage. We expect this to advance both science and industry in the region in many different ways.”
Wolfgang Tiefensee, Minister of Economy, Science and Digital Society in the state of Thuringia, said: “I am delighted that ZEISS has chosen Jena. Ultimately the exceptional collaboration between ZEISS, the state and the city of Jena have made this possible in recent weeks. By making such a substantial investment, ZEISS is promoting Jena, its high-tech site which is known across Europe, and bolstering it for the years ahead. This is the biggest investment of the decade in Thuringia to date, and it is catapulting Jena into the next league; it will be followed by carve-outs and help establish and draw other institutes and companies in and to Jena.”
The mayor of Jena Dr. Albrecht Schröter is also pleased about the project: “Since it was established in 1846, ZEISS has been a real stroke of luck for Jena. And in much the same way as the company is committed to the city and to advancing it through its work, those of us in the city believe we have a duty to support ZEISS’s growth trajectory. “This is, after all, the largest private investment in Jena since the peaceful revolution in East Germany – and we are extremely grateful! We are proud to be involved in such an exceptional project.”
“We look forward to being neighbors with our sister company ZEISS and to many more years of excellent collaboration with a view to further development of the high-tech site in Jena,” says Dr. Frank Heinricht, Chairman of the Board of Management of SCHOTT AG
Construction on the site is scheduled to begin in 2019 following the accompanying construction and consultation procedures; it will largely be complete by the end of 2023.
A closed architecture competition will decide how the complex will actually look and how the historic building on the premises will be integrated into the facility by early 2018.