Big project, big problems? Not necessarily. Finally… We cannot say that the operation of “urban renewal” that the new Marenda-Lacan district in the city center was to embody, was done without sighs. The delays accumulated between the delivery of the new housing and the cinema (three years for the latter!) have somewhat tickled the nerves of the mayor who is demanding penalties from the developer BNP Paribas Immobilier. At the municipal council meeting this Friday, it was an opportunity to take stock of the various issues.
Delays: until litigation?
“It’s possiblemaintains Jean Leonetti. Taking into account the amounts we are demanding and the amounts proposed (by BNP Paribas, Editor’s note), we will probably go before the judge so that he can define how much the delay impacts the City.” Among the areas of contention: bad weather. “Some consider that it is France Météo which says the number of bad weather. We believe that this is the reality of the facts. There can be clouds above the city without needing to interrupt the work”, argues the mayor. With regard to housing delivered months after the scheduled date to buyers, “this does not concern the City and certain disputes have been settled amicably”.
The “finalization of accounts”
Jean Leonetti takes up the calculations: “Field (from the ZAC Marenda-Lacan, editor’s note)which had been valued at 8 million euros by the Domaines, was sold for 28 million.” It is in this envelope that “14 million euros were used to develop the surrounding area, notably rue Vauban, rue Macé or the Jardin d’Eden… On arrival, the benefit for the City amounted to more than 10 million euros euros”concluded the chosen one.
Absence of retention basin
The subject was put back on the table by opposition MP Aline Abravanel (Presidential Majority): “Where are the complaints about non-compliance with the building permit and other liberties that may have been taken with respect to the PLU, particularly for retention basins and water networks ()? Certain appeals point to a potential risk for the neighborhood in the event of flooding or heavy rain.”
Jean Leonetti responds: “It was preferable to widen the evacuation routes, taking into account the influx in the port, rather than creating a retention basin. The proposal was not less expensive but more effective and the experts’ verification shows That’s what had to be done.”
What remains to be done…
Everything is not over yet, at Marenda-Lacan. The construction of 28 additional housing units for seniors (supported by Erilia) and a micro-crèche overlooking the Garden of Eden should be completed in 2026.
1. In 2023, real estate lawyer Cécile Zakine filed a complaint against building permit for the ZAC.
