Rebuilding Rijksmuseum 'within financial constraints'

Time for some good news about art. The renovation of the Rijksmuseum may have taken years longer than expected, and also caused much more discussion than would have been necessary: the case is remained 'within the financial frameworks'. This reports culture minister Jet Bussemaker in a letter which she sent to the chamber today.

How this feat was achieved, she explains briefly:

'The delays have led to financial setbacks: rising construction costs, longer use of temporary facilities and higher project costs. However, there are also financial windfalls: there are lower costs due to a more favourable interest rate than anticipated at the beginning of the project, and because the museum will open later than anticipated, the higher rent will only have to be paid from a later date. This was not a problem for the recipient of the rent, the Government Buildings Agency, as the delay also allowed borrowing at a later date. On balance, the windfalls and setbacks balanced each other out and therefore the project will be completed within the financial frameworks.'

In short: in times of crisis, some disadvantages also have their advantages.