Team Zuid Issues Formal Notice to Minister Gennez: ‘Restart M HKA Construction or Face Legal Action’
14 January 2026 – Open letterTeam Zuid, the neighborhood committee representing residents, entrepreneurs, and gallery owners in Antwerp’s Zuid district, sent a registered letter of default to Flemish Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez on January 14, 2026. In the letter, the committee demands the immediate resumption of the construction project for the new M HKA at Zuidersluis, which was abruptly canceled after 10 years of preparation—without consultation with the neighborhood or stakeholders.
Team Zuid, the neighborhood committee advocating for the interests of residents, entrepreneurs, hospitality operators, and galleries in Antwerp’s Zuid district, sent a registered letter of default to Flemish Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez on January 14, 2026. In this letter, Team Zuid formally declares the minister in default and demands the immediate resumption of the construction project for the new M HKA at Zuidersluis. The committee emphasizes that the cancellation of the museum project—after 10 years of preparation and without any consultation with the neighborhood or stakeholders—represents not only a rupture with Antwerp’s and Flanders’ cultural policy, but also a flagrant violation of trust, proper governance, and transparency.
Team Zuid points out that Zuid is Antwerp’s museum district and that the new M HKA would serve as a crucial link between the redeveloped quays and Zuidpark. The decision to halt the project, made under the controversial concept note VR 2025 0310 MED. 0374, is described by residents as unlawful, reckless, and unmotivated—a position supported by multiple negative opinions from the Financial Inspection. Additionally, documents obtained through a freedom of information request reveal that the construction budget has already been reallocated to other projects, despite the cancellation being presented as a cost-saving measure.
Team Zuid calls for urgent dialogue with all stakeholders and warns of further legal action if the minister does not reconsider the project.
Read the full letter of default here.
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