Municipal vote Zurich says yes to school building in former Meteo Switzerland building

The city of Zurich can convert the former Meteo Switzerland building on the Zürichberg into a temporary school building. Voters approved the loan of CHF 22.9 million with a 64.6 percent majority in favor.

A total of 65,773 Zurich residents voted in favor, while 35,997 were against. The former weather building is to be used as a school building for around ten years from 2025 - until the Langmatt school is extended and the Hirschengraben school is renovated.

Criticism of the project came mainly from the Green Party. The Greens would have preferred to convert the building into living space instead of a temporary secondary school for just nine classes. The city council therefore withdrew the proposal in 2023, but then resubmitted it with practically the same content.

111 million for a new school building in Altstetten

The citizens of Zurich also said yes to two other school building projects: They approved the construction of the new Tüffenwies school building in Altstetten with a 74.1 percent Yes vote (76,249 Yes to 26,640 No). This facility for 24 classes will cost 111 million francs. The school building will provide space for 530 secondary school pupils.

Voters also approved the extension to the Luchswiesen school building in Schwamendingen with 74.4 percent in favor (76,563 yes to 26,307 no). This offers space for 15 primary school classes, a triple sports hall and an underground parking garage. This project costs 102.4 million francs.

The turnout for these three proposals was just under 45 percent.