The Council of the City of Cologne (another source indicates it was the CEO of Deutsche Bahn AG) decided in 1996 that Deutz station would be rebuilt as a terminal for ICE services at the end of 1997. Deutsche Bahn determined that some new ICE services on the planned Cologne-Rhine/Main high-speed line would start or terminate at Deutz station. In December 1997, the Management Board of Deutsche Bahn (DB) agreed to the redevelopment of the station in several stages. When finally in 1998 the Cologne Trade Fair decided to build a new building for its administration, it was decided to establish a public-private partnership in 1999 involving DB Station&Service, the city and the Trade Fair.