Amsterdam has unveiled plans to repeal the measure sex workers from the famous red light district and has announced a new ‘erotic center’ for companions.

On Monday, Amsterdam city officials named the location in the south of the Dutch capital as their favorite location for an ‘erotic centre’ outside the city.

Mayor Femke Halsema wants that uprooting the red light district and moving it from the city center to a purpose-built center, with the aim of eliminating Amsterdam’s image as a ‘city of sin’while reducing the number of tourists and petty crime in the area.

“Europaboulevard in the South district is the most suitable location for the new Erotic Center,” according to the city council.

“These elections will be presented to the city council early next yearHe added in a statement that he expected seven years to pass before its inauguration.

Halsema has long opposed the centuries-old red light district known as De Wallen, with its neon-clad windows in canal houses where sex workers wait for their clients.

Europa Boulevard, located on the edge of Amsterdam’s main shopping area, It was one of three options for the erotic center. I would have 100 rooms for sex workersas well as restaurants, sex theaters, nightclubs and restaurants.

“Finding a location for an erotic center is a difficult task,” says the city council, adding: “Due to the enormous growth in tourism, the old city, especially the red light district, has been under pressure for years.”

He added: “The windows of the erotic center will be only in the building. In this way we want to combat tourist tourism and keep disruptive groups at a distance.’

But the city’s plans were met with opposition from locals They don’t want the center to be on their doorstep, just like the sex workers who feel like scapegoats for criminals. and the hustle and bustle around their neon-lit stalls.

The choice of location places the ‘erotic centre’ close to the European Medicines Agency, which has also opposed the measure, claiming that it affect the safety of people who work late in the office.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people have signed several petitions against the relocation of the stalls, calling for better crowd control and more police surveillance in De Wallen, especially at night.

Relocating the red light district is one of Amsterdam’s efforts to transform its image as a party capital.

It also launched a ‘stay away’ campaign to discourage stag and hen parties and drunken tourists, causing uproar in Britain after the council said it would target British men aged 18 to 35.

Last month the city announced plans to step up its campaign to drive away party tourists after the first attempt had limited success.

An online campaign should show a different side of Amsterdam, with art, culture and stories of ‘real Amsterdammers’.

The council is expected to debate the proposals early next year and it could take around seven years to build and open the erotic centre. (JO)