ADM, an update on the actual situation written on a serene Sunday morning, August 2018

This Fall, ADM  will be 21 years old. Since its beginning in 1997, the largest cultural free-haven in The Netherlands has been under constant pressure.

Especially in recent years, we have been involved in multiple legal procedures while consistently petitioning  the municipality of Amsterdam to purchase the site in order to prevent a financial loss of hundreds of millions euros (see previous issues of Amsterdam Alternative). Unfortunately, the fate of ADM depends primarily on the outcome of these legal and political processes and not on considerations of the grand cultural heritage which ADM is providing the city.

After vigorous appeals, three major legal cases have been lost by ADM in the last weeks. We feel that these losses are the result of a cynical strategy: only limited parts of the entire case is dealt with at a time,  and no proper attention is given to the big picture. The practical result of these results is we at ADM can be evicted at any point from the 24 December 2018. 

The ADM residents are considering  starting a new appeal in a case against the Amsterdam city council, arguing  that the city must enforce the perpetual clause in the original purchase contract and thus prevent the public- and social interests of Amsterdam from being seriously damaged. The ADM terrain was bought by Chidda in 1997 with the proviso that  Amsterdam always has the first right of repurchase and that only an authentic shipyard can be established on the 42-hectare terrain. Chidda intends to give way to Koole Maritiem LLC, an asbestos contractor and demolisher, which has nothing to do with shipyards! If the municipality of Amsterdam approves Chidda’s plans, the destination restriction will effectively be removed and the ADM will increase more than 5 times in value.

Chidda is only interested in cashing in, which means that around €100 million in community capital belonging to the municipality (and therefore to you, dear reader) will go to a real estate entrepreneur. The current attitude of the Council of Amsterdam is more in favor of the financial interests of a private party than for the public interest.

The consequences, both for ADM and for the city of Amsterdam, are dire. So, why not press the pause button and investigate what Amsterdam loses when the city council turns its back on ADM and refuses to cherish our cultural free haven?

ADM residents will of course continue to initiate actions and have talks with the council in order to change this imprudent current political track. However, we also need your support to prove that cultural free spaces are vital for a diverse and open city. 

We do not want to be chased, we want to be appreciated for our cultural contribution to the city! 
Please contact us if you have ideas or suggestions or would like to support us in our struggle!
And don’t miss Holland’s most innovative- and experimental cultural festival which is coming up on the 4th weekend of september!
ADM turns 21 and hopefully changes into a mature and powerful adult!

office@adm.amsterdam    
www.adm.amsterdam