The Saige urban renovation project made its return to the deliberations of the Pessac municipal council, this Tuesday, December 17, with the adoption by majority of an experimental program intended for the realization of demonstrator projects in terms of ecological transition and solidarity in priority neighborhoods of city policy (QPV).
The national “Neighborhoods of Tomorrow” system selected ten winners, including part of the Saige Urban Renewal Project (PRU). The scope selected includes the renovation of tower 8, intended to accommodate economic activities and around a hundred housing units reserved for young workers and the development of the “green corridor”, which will ensure the link between the city center of Pessac and the university domain. The opposition reacted before the vote, raising several criticisms.
“Balanced project”
Élodie Cazeau, from Réinventons Pessac Ensemble, asked: “Would it not be wise, in a context of tension over housing, to maintain tower 8 for residential use? » Laure Curvale denounced a lack of “economic sobriety”, particularly due to the cost of the operation, estimated at 17 million euros excluding tax. “Demolition and rehousing are forms of uprooting for residents,” added the EELV elected official.
In response, Fatiha Bozbag, elected from the majority, declared: “You are proposing to add a lick of paint, but go and see how they live! If you call that quality housing…” “80% of the residents of the towers no longer want to live there! » added Fatima Bizine, mayor of the district.
Naji Yahmdi, who presented the deliberation establishing the role of the actors in the project, defended a “balanced project” in which three towers are demolished and five maintained. This consultation will take the form of a competitive dialogue and will result in a winning team, selected in October 2025, to which a project management contract will be entrusted. “We hope to present to you in the coming months a particularly ambitious project,” says the Equal Opportunities Deputy.
