Herisau voters face new vote on Obstmarkt planning freeze
Friday 11th September 2026 on 07:00 in
Switzerland
Voters in Herisau, a municipality in Appenzell Ausserrhoden, will decide on September 27 whether to halt planning for the Obstmarkt town square for ten years, SRF reported.
The Obstmarkt is Herisau’s central square, a traffic hub and the location of the cantonal government building. The municipality has been trying to redesign it for around 50 years, without success.
Voters rejected the latest project, costing almost nine million Swiss francs, about two years ago. The result was decided by 64 votes, with 2,429 voting against and 2,365 in favour.
Supporters of the redesign then pushed for the project to be revised. Herisau’s municipality reviewed the plans again at a cost of 50,000 francs.
The initiative titled “Obstmarkt Herisau No pressure A no is a no” would end that process. It calls for the Obstmarkt to remain in its current form for the next decade and would require the municipal regulations to be amended.
Under the proposal, the municipal council and parliament could not approve funding for project development, planning, studies, competitions or permanent construction work aimed at redesigning or repurposing the square. Funding approved directly by voters would remain possible.
Initiative organiser Markus Bosshard said a rejection by voters should be respected. “If the people say no, then that is how it is,” he said.
The initiative would not impose a complete construction ban. According to the municipality, maintenance and renovation work would remain possible to keep the square functional and safe.
Only the Swiss People’s Party supports the initiative. All other parties, as well as the municipal council and parliament, oppose the planning freeze. They say the revised project is close to completion.
Opponents also warn that the initiative would lead to a basic renovation without improving how the square is used. FDP municipal councillor Matthias Fries said the proposal would prevent a reasonable improvement and stop the work carried out so far.