Utrecht RLD has been closed down for years.
And the boats are up for auction
UTRECHT - For years there were prostitution boats along the Utrechtse Zandpad. About twenty sheets have been abandoned since 2013 and are currently being auctioned. Anyone who has ever wanted to buy such a boat can buy a will on the Sand Road today. The responsible auction house organizes a viewing day.
Richard Dieteren of the online auction company BVA expects a lot of interest. "There will surely be some very interested parties. Of course, it is not often possible to buy a whole fleet of arks at one time. We offer from 500 euros. The most expensive is 2500 euros."
NOSTALGIA
Dieteren acknowledges that not all visitors really want to buy a boat today. "There will be parties who are interested in the ark, but also parties who are interested in the story or want to come again look nostalgic or interested."
He warns people not to bother. "It's a public auction. If you make a bid, you're stuck in. It's not free, so no Marketplace. If you're the highest bidder, you have to take off. So if you're in the pub this weekend standing and joining friends with a bargain, you are ultimately the owner if you are the highest bidder. "
BREAKFAST
All boats, of course, have a story and, according to Dieteren, it is literally still in the boat. "Some boats have been shipped, but there are also arches that are still in stock. If they are still present, they are for the buyer. Think of tables, chairs and mattresses, and they are not always the cleanest mattresses" Dieting.
According to the auction site there are boats between which can still use a refurbishment. "Some arches really need to restore you well."
STUDENT HOUSING
Dieting can thus make some new destinations for the arks. "Some have already been towed out and are already used for student housing. Because of the lack of it, the boats can be used properly. Of course you have to grow the boat, but there is also the price."
The peek rooms on the Sand Road closed in the summer of 2013. According to the municipality of Utrecht there was trafficking in human beings. There is still thought about a new prostitution zone at the Sand Road. The municipality of Utrecht wants to give more clarity this autumn.
The former prostitution boats on the Zandpad in Utrecht may remain until 1 December.