Austria has converted Adolf Hitler’s birthplace in Braunau am Inn into a police station, sparking mixed reactions from locals. Hitler was the leader of Nazi Germany, responsible for World War II and the Holocaust, which led to the deaths of millions, including 65,000 Austrian Jews.

The government aims to “neutralise” the site, which has been a gathering point for neo-Nazis, by turning it into a police station. The renovation, which cost 20 million euros ($24 million), is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026.

While some residents, like Wolfgang Leithner, believe the police station will bring “a bit of calm” and prevent the site from becoming a shrine for far-right extremists, others, like Jasmin Stadler, think it could have been used better, such as creating a historic context or peace-building center.

The decision comes amid Austria’s ongoing debate about its Holocaust history, with 65,000 Austrian Jews killed and 130,000 forced into exile during Nazi rule. The far-right Freedom Party, founded by former Nazis, leads in opinion polls but failed to form a government.