23/01/2002
By Jeremy BangsBy a last-minute agreement during a town council meeting lasting into the early hours of Wednesday morning, the political coalition of the Mayor and Aldermen of Leiden withdrew its proposal known as the "Aalmarkt Project" from consideration by the town council; in turn, an ad hoc "Aalmarkt Referendum Workgroup" withdrew its request (supported by 1,500) signatures) for a city-wide referendum on that proposal. It was agreed that the city officials will work together with a project group formed from among the people and organizations that had submitted specific objections to the rejected plan, in order to produce a new urban-renewal plan by October 1, 2002, - one in which both sides will attempt to reach agreement on improvements to the area while respecting the historic monuments and environment of this part of the ancient city center. The gains for historic preservation that had been achieved in the revised plan that has now been withdrawn will be retained; other aspects of the plan will be re-examined in an attempt to find compromises. For example, it has already been agreed that no listed historic monument will be demolished. Now four 16th- and 17th century houses whose age only became apparent during studies carried out in the planning process (and which therefore are not yet listed as monuments), will be examined to see how they might be incorporated into the plans for renovation. The former "Rijksbouwmeester" (Inspector of National Buildings) will be the chairman of the project group. I will be among the members. I think that this decision represents a genuine shift of thinking, by which Leiden's city government is choosing to move forward with appropriate care for its historic values. No doubt there will be disagreements within the project group about such issues as whether or not a parking garage is needed in what is now a vacant lot, instead of housing, - or whether Leiden needs a new footbridge over the Rhine River, - but the process is one that provides the possibility for reasoned discussion before the plan is drawn up. The threat of a referendum weighs heavily in The Netherlands, where a referendum is a very extraordinary expression of dissatisfaction with ordinary forms of town government. The concept of a New England town meeting, where all major decisions are subject to democratic approval by the residents, is unknown. It was said that the referendum would have cost the town close to a million guilders ($ 475,000). The referendum would have been a major issue affecting town council elections in May this year. These are among the reasons that led to the agreement not to pursue the Aalmarkt Plan in its present form. Although the Vrouwekerk Plaza renovation plan was not structurally a part of the Aalmarkt Project, more quietly it, too, has been shelved while new plans are drawn up that would respect the remains of the Vrouwekerk and other historic buildings surrounding the square. It is not expected that those revised plans will be submitted to the town council until after the elections. There has been a genuine shift in Leiden towards a willingness to preserve the town's historic heritage. Pilgrim sites will be respected. Undeniably, the great response of many Americans who wrote letters in support of preserving Pilgrim sites has contributed to this welcome change of awareness. I would like to express my thanks, and those of all people concerned with the preservation of tangible reminders of the Pilgrim story, to each person who has taken the time to give attention to this matter. While we have been dealing with what might be called "mere symbols," they are symbols of a shared past whose memory unites people around the world in a recollection of the values of tolerance and welcome extended by the Dutch of the City of Leiden to a group that contributed significantly to the development of freedom and democracy in North America. Dr. Jeremy D. Bangs, Director
Leiden American Pilgrim Museum