Adolf Hitler's home in Austria now a police station after $24 million renovation — 'double-edged sword', say residents

Adolf Hitler's birthplace in Braunau am Inn, Austria, has undergone a significant transformation, reopening as a police station after a $24 million renovation. This initiative aims to diminish the site's associations with neo-Nazi sentiments and prevent it from becoming a pilgrimage site for extremists. The renovation project, which was completed in collaboration with the Austrian government, has sparked mixed reactions among local residents. While some view the conversion as a positive step towards neutralization of a controversial historical landmark, others believe it could have been repurposed for educational or community-oriented uses. The site, which had been a focal point for far-right groups, now serves a practical function intended to benefit the community while erasing the legacy of its infamous former occupant. The move has been characterized as a 'double-edged sword' by critics, who question whether the conversion adequately addresses the underlying issues of extremism and historical memory in contemporary society.