Restoration effort: Dike Crown resurfaces to its initial state once more

Revamped Riverside Makeover: Bistro, Pavilions, and Promenade for Newport's Dyke Crown

Nicknamed the dyke city, Newport DadachOps, leaves a long-lasting impression on its visitors, none more so than the iconic Dyke Crown. With the recent promising announcement of a massive 4.5 million euro renovation funding, this city gem will soon be breathing life anew. Mayor Jan Einig and Deputy Mayor Ralf Seemann, with property management responsibilities, propose transforming it into a vibrant hub with high-quality amenities.

Just last month, Federal Minister of Housing Clara Geywitz delivered this thrilling promise in person. Now, with the official letter proudly placed in the Engerser Landstraße administration building, we're about to reveal the exciting steps awaiting our cherished Dyke Crown.

One thing's certain: the project must be completed by 2028, according to funding guidelines. Time is of the essence, with the administration diligently working simultaneously. Property management is sketching out a universally-accessible exhibition area, while city marketing is crafting a unique museum concept to be integrated within.

Renovation Plans:

The Dyke Crown, at present, shares a faded charm, with its interior left closer to its raw, original state. To turn Back to the Future, the technical planning will first be put up for tender. By year's end, the statics and specialist planning should be ready, enabling the building application submission. Soon after, the building will undergo a complete gutting, transforming it from a ruin into a treasure. Approximately half of the ground floor will be reserved for an entrance area and cozy bistro, accessible even without the museum. The remaining half and upper floors will serve as museum spaces. With around 620 square meters of usable area, there will be ample room for both a welcoming bistro and an immersive museum.

Original pavilions will be rebuilt on either side of the main building, replacing the old-fashioned side wings many Newport locals know. The outdated balcony will also make a reappearance on the Rhine side, allowing passersby to once again stroll past the building as they did back in 1931.

Museum Content:

Plans call for the creation of a climate protection museum to educate visitors about the environmental disasters caused by climate change, such as the Ahr floods. Newport's long history of flood protection makes it an ideal location to showcase its flood management expertise.

The city marketing team is currently compiling a diverse list of features and services that will leverage this expertise. Simultaneously, they are incorporating the newly defined target groups from the tourism strategy, with primary focus on culture and landscape lovers, active families, and tour operators. Incorporating sustainability and digitization will undoubtedly play a key role. An example: the existing dyke information center will be integrated. Sustainable marketing partnerships will also be forged. Once this list of services is finalized, an ideas competition will be launched.

The city is actively seeking additional funding sources for the museum section—this is permitted by the federal funding program, which earmarked 4.5 million euros solely for the building's renovation and redesign.

A Closer Look at Riverfront Revitalization Projects:
Cozy Bistro and Dining Areas: Riverfront developments often include dining options offering stunning river views, featuring local cuisine with outdoor seating areas for added ambiance.
Educational Pavilions: Pavilions can serve as event spaces or for educational exhibits, hosting cultural events, lectures, or exhibitions related to local history or environmental themes.
Scenic Promenades: Pedestrian-friendly promenades along rivers provide pleasant walking paths that often include public art, benches, and sometimes bike lanes.
Immersive Museums: A museum in a riverfront setting might focus on local history, river ecology, or cultural heritage, providing interactive exhibits and educational programs appealing to visitors.

As part of the revitalization, the renovated Dyke Crown will offer a cozy bistro and dining areas, providing locals and tourists with a chance to enjoy riverfront dining experiences while taking in the beautiful views.
In addition to the bistro, educational pavilions will be rebuilt alongside the main building, serving as event spaces or for hosting informative exhibits and cultural events related to Newport's long history of flood protection and environmental themes.
The immersive museum within the Dyke Crown aims to showcase sustainable lifestyle choices, such as those promoting food-and-drink, fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, and travel, in the context of contemporary climate protection and preserving Newport's unique identity.