Utrecht is working towards a decision on what a renovated cultural centre at Domplein 4-5 should offer. The municipality expects its executive, the college of mayor and aldermen, to decide on the building's precise use by the end of 2026. The city announced the update on 30 September.

What is planned

The municipality plans a cultural centre with hospitality, commercial space for rent and lessons in amateur art and culture. It also expects the building to include public indoor bicycle parking. Art and culture lessons for amateurs have been given at Domplein 4-5 for roughly 30 years.

The coalition agreement structurally reserves €500,000 so that amateur arts education can continue in the renovated building, according to the municipality.

The plan includes a terrace where bicycle racks now stand. Utrecht is also investigating whether an extra opening can be added to the facade to create access from Domplein to the inner courtyard. The existing building is outdated and awkwardly laid out, the municipality says.

Theatre, music or dance

Which art forms will be taught has not been decided. The municipality is considering theatre, music and dance, or a combination, and is carrying out a variants analysis to determine what is workable in terms of space and money. Each discipline has different needs: music requires sound insulation, theatre needs large rooms, and dance needs changing facilities and suitable floors.

Timeline

The municipality's current timetable is:

- **By the end of 2026:** the college is expected to decide how the building will be used. - **From 2027:** the municipality plans to begin selecting future tenants, defining requirements, selecting an architect, designing the project, applying for permits and preparing the work. - **Mid-2029:** the renovation is planned to begin.

Property alderman Dennis de Vries said the process has taken longer and proved more difficult than hoped. He said input from cultural organisations and neighbours should help produce an open and inviting building that continues to provide amateur arts education. Culture alderman Afke Groen said the city wants to retain a place where Utrecht residents can make and experience culture.

The municipality says cultural and social organisations can continue using the building as they do now until the renovation begins.

How to take part

Cultural organisations, neighbours and other people involved with Domplein 4-5 can give input through the city's participation platform, denkmee.utrecht.nl/domplein4-5. Questions can be put to the municipality on 14 030.

What to keep in mind

This is a stage before a decision, not a decision. The municipality has not said which art disciplines will be chosen, who the tenants will be or what the renovation will cost, and the announcement gives no total building-work budget. The €500,000 structural allocation is intended to make continued amateur arts education possible, not to fund the renovation itself.

The Utrechter Post will report on the college's decision when it is published.