Cruquiusweg 86 under threat

Cruquiusweg 86 is now under threat. The former car repair workshop was squatted since sunday, 28th of March 2010. Recently the owner, the City of Amsterdam, sent a letter.

The former renter J. Drenth B.V., who is still claimed to be on a rental contract by the city, left in 2007, originally because the building should undergo renovation. According to the KvK, J. Drenth B.V., property of Bangroep Vastgoed Exploitatie B.V., moved in October 2008 to Grutterij 7-9, Amstelveen.
Upon entering the squatters discovered thick layers of dust and mail and newspapers not picked up since 2007. Soon after the squatting action J. Drenth B.V. was informed they could come to pick up their old papers. Nothing ever followed, or was ever heard of J. Drenth B.V. again. It can even be questioned whether J. Drenth B.V. was informed at all about being mentioned in said letter.

There are no concrete plans made for the Cruquiusweg 84-86 by the City of Amsterdam, and neither has any other renter materialized. At the last stretch, the City of Amsterdam may have intentions of selling the terrain Cruquiusweg 84-86, but it is evident that project developers are not rushing to the door. The neighborhood is a high speculation area, but because of the financial crisis development has stalled in many ways. In the immediate vicinity of Cruquiusweg terrains having been left empty for years can be found, and the amount of square meters occupied by anti-squat is impressive. This state of affairs is characteristic of the ineffectiveness with which the housing policies of the City of Amsterdam are carried out. One preposterous project that is already planned a few meters away from the Cruquiusweg 84-86 is a commercial marina for 200 boats in the Entrepothaven.

In the letter it is claimed that in July the police received complaints about the squatters’ damaging the building and making a fire. This claim is absolutely unfounded, the squatters do not remember being contacted by the police whatsoever, let alone any making of fire or other damage being inflicted. On the contrary, the squatters are maintaining the building up to livable standards.

Dangerous situation with a camp fire?

A barbecue was once held in the asphalted yard five meters outside. Who does not barbecue in Amsterdam during the summer? Needless to say we won’t barbecue anymore at the Cruquiusweg.

The city claims that neither the police nor the Handhaving were not let inside the building. In point of fact, the only instance that is remembered is a visitor who appeared one week to ten days before the letter claiming to be a representative of the City of Amsterdam, but who could not identify himself with any document at hand.

It is evident, there is no cogent reason the building should continue its former state of emptiness and dilapidation, and the living group inside be deprived of their home. The group does not consider the reasons given by the City of Amsterdam as being valid and is not ready to leave.