Ceetrus, an Auchan subsidiary dedicated to real estate, was chosen by the SNCF to modernize the Gare du Nord in view of the 2024 Olympic Games. The prefect of Île-de-France, Michel Cadot, issued the building permit on July 6 and work should start this summer. But the Paris City Hall, like the inhabitants of the district, are firmly opposed to this project and are ready to do anything to slow it down.
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The general idea of the project is to modernize the Gare du Nord, the first in Europe in terms of passengers. Some 750,000 a day pass by to take the metro, train or Eurostar. A refurbishment, but above all an enlargement, is therefore necessary. With the project presented by SNCF and Ceetrus, the surface should practically double, several floors will be built and an area of 20,000 square meters will be dedicated to shops, restaurants and offices. A large shopping center that poses a problem.
Civil disobedience actions to slow down the works?
Because like an airport, you will have to cross this shopping area to take the train. The project management is tempering: access to the platforms will be "improved". But for Serge Rémy, at the head of a collective of neighborhood residents, the builder defends only his economic interests. "Will you buy your bread at the station before you go home? Something is not right."
"The residents' aspiration is to have local, friendly businesses. They must make it possible to recreate a bond," continues Serge Rémy, while some residents do not exclude civil disobedience actions to slow down the works.
"Make travelers' pockets"
The City of Paris, too, opposes this future renovation. For the mayor of the 10th arrondissement, Alexandra Cordebard, this is anything but a story of station modernization. "This is a huge commercial densification project which aims to make the pockets of everyday and international travelers. The works will only correct passenger transport conditions to the margin", warns the elected representative stressing that "70 % of the 750,000 people who use the Gare du Nord "do so daily.
While the first excavators are expected this summer, the SNCF, which saves 600 million euros in the case, remains silent.