This virus and the measures taken by the federal government have thrown everything into such disarray that nothing is as it used to be, so much grief, worry, uncertainty and restrictions and everyone is longing for normality.
But even despite coronavirus, Salzgitter once again had a number of outstanding events in 2020.
The completely redesigned website of the city of Salzgitter (www.salzgitter.de) was launched in February. Optimized for mobile devices, it provides an overview of all offers and services provided by the city of Salzgitter. The new homepage features a tile design that quickly leads to the most frequently searched topics of the city administration.
Following extensive renovation work, the children's library in the basement of the city library in Salzgitter-Lebenstedt has been open again since May. Bright colors now characterize the children's library and are an expression of a new concept. Adapted to the different user groups, the space has been divided up and pedagogically adapted to the needs of different age groups.
Free WLAN has been available at Salzgittersee since May. A total of 14 dial-up points have been installed to provide some of the most frequently visited areas of the lake area with mobile internet access. These include Reppner's Bay, the pirate playground and the public areas near the water ski facility. In addition, the parking area for mobile homes and the area used for competitions at the clubhouses will also be covered.
Since June, four e-bikes can also be charged simultaneously at the new e-charging station on Salzgittersee. It is a good addition to the extensive range of activities on offer at the lake. Here you can do (cycling) sports to recharge your batteries. There could hardly be a better place to charge your bike batteries than here.
The cooperation agreement was signed in September, marking the start of the Hydrogen Campus. The hydrogen campus will establish knowledge exchange and consulting, bundle research capacities and set up model plants. 7 million euros from the 50 million euros in structural aid promised by the state of Lower Saxony, for which Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel fought long and hard with the support of members of the state parliament, will serve as the financial start-up capital. The city council approved three pilot projects at its meeting on December 16.
The digitalization of schools was also driven forward and iPads and laptops were purchased, configured and delivered. A lot has been achieved in the digitalization of schools this year. It's high time, even if the city as a municipality has only made an advance contribution, as the educational mandate and everything that goes with it still lies with the federal states.
A new residential complex with 31 residential units and commercial space has been under construction in the old village of Salzgitter-Lebenstedt since October. Move-in is planned for mid-2022. The five townhouse apartments and the remaining 26 residential units, some in maisonette style, are largely barrier-free, five of which are wheelchair-accessible. This project is part of the strategic "New construction offensive with a sense of proportion" of the city and Salzgitter AG as the owner of Wohnungsbaugesellschaft Salzgitter mbH. It is a clear commitment to securing the future of the city and will contribute to the further revitalization of the city centre of Salzgitter-Lebenstedt.
Finally, digital media: the city's YouTube channel exceeded the 1.7 million film views mark in 2020. Over 2,400 users have already subscribed to it to be informed about new films from the city at short notice. The city's official fan page can also be found on the digital network Facebook. It already has almost 4,500 "likes".
The Twitter channel is also used regularly to spread the latest news even faster. Subscribers to the channel receive the news in a compact 280 characters. Over 1,400 users already follow the city's channel.