The concerts at the Palladium are over! This summer, the Canton put an end to the party. The Air, Noise and Non-Ionizing Radiation Service (Sabra) has prohibited the City of Geneva, owner of this emblematic hall, from organizing sound events there more than once a month. This decision follows several complaints from the neighborhood.
The operation of this Mecca for cultural events, located on Rue du Stand, has long been carried out in a sparsely inhabited area, but the densification of this area and the development of the Jonction eco-district have changed the situation.
“In the summer of 2018, a new building was delivered on Chemin du 23-Août. The bedrooms of the 113 accommodations all overlook Rue du Stand, just opposite the Palladium. As soon as it was rented, residents were confronted with noise pollution, but confinement calmed the situation and the first complaints were sent to the City upon its release. The delivery of a new rental building on rue de la Coulouvrenière, with a facade directly overlooking the rear doors of the Palladium, subsequently further complicated the situation,” explains Anna Vaucher, spokesperson for the Department of Finance, of the environment and housing of the City.
Sound measurements were carried out between July and November 2023. “The results are unequivocal,” continues the communicator. The building does not allow compliance with the standards in force, with excesses observed in the two residential buildings concerned. And this despite various measures to try to reduce nuisance.
So the Sabra decided to pull the plug. From the end of November, only one musical event, not exceeding 93 decibels, will be authorized per month. An exception will be granted to exceed this threshold once a year. “Moreover, the opening of doors on rue de la Coulouvrenière is now prohibited. All public entrances/exits must be made on the rue du Stand side,” specifies Anna Vaucher. Five sound events already scheduled will be maintained until then. Last year, the room, which can accommodate up to 1,300 people, hosted 26 events with sound and 19 without sound.
Necessary renovations
A major renovation is necessary to hope to be able to fully enjoy the premises again. The Department of Planning, Buildings and Mobility (DACM) indicates that “the situation is currently being assessed. A diagnostic study will soon be carried out on the entire building, in order to determine the extent of future renovation and upgrading. How soon can we expect results? The DACM remains silent.
