As the first municipality in the Netherlands, Utrecht supports monument owners with a favorable loan to improve accessibility of monumental buildings for people with physical disabilities. This is an extension of the Utrecht Restoration Fund, which was already accessible for restoration of monumental buildings and implementing energy-saving measures. The Utrecht Restoration Fund is set up in collaboration with the National Restoration Fund.
Alderman for Heritage Rachel Streefland: “In Utrecht, we preserve and make our heritage accessible for current and future generations. This naturally applies to everyone, including people with disabilities. Improving the accessibility of monuments with a public function can almost always be done with respect for the monumental values of the buildings. I am therefore very pleased with this expansion of the Utrecht Restoration Fund.”
To improve the physical accessibility of municipal and national monuments with a public function, a maximum amount of €30,000 can be borrowed at a favorable interest rate of 1.5%. Expert advice is required on physical accessibility for people with physical or sensory disabilities. The municipality works with the Urban Consultation Physical Disabled Utrecht (SOLGU) for this. SOLGU advocates for the interests of people with physical disabilities or chronic illness.
The ramp on both sides of the stairs of the Academy Building on Domplein.
Increased Loan Amount
With the expansion of the scheme, due to inflation, and in particular the increase in construction costs, the maximum amounts have also been increased. For restoration, a maximum of €250,000 could be borrowed, which is now €300,000. For energy measures, the maximum amount has increased by €5,000 to €30,000. Unlike the loan for improving physical accessibility, loans for restoration and energy measures are exclusively intended for municipal monuments. Owners of national monuments can apply for schemes from the Cultural Heritage Agency, the National Restoration Fund, and the province.
Twenty Years of Partnership Municipality of Utrecht and National Restoration Fund
The Utrecht Restoration Fund (URF), started in 2005, is housed at the National Restoration Fund. The National Restoration Fund manages similar funds for the national government, provinces, municipalities, and private parties to maintain heritage. The Utrecht Restoration Fund, consisting of loans at a favorable interest rate, was created in 2005 and was initially aimed at financially supporting restorations of municipal monuments. Since 2013, monument owners can also borrow cheaply for energy-saving measures.
Uğur Özcan, director/administrator of the Restoration Fund: “Contributing to making monuments more accessible together with the municipality of Utrecht. I am proud of that. I find it important that everyone can enjoy vibrant monuments in their village or city. I hope other governments and funds follow Utrechts good example.”
Monument owners interested in financing can read more on the municipalitys website and can contact the Heritage Department via monumenten@utrecht.nl.