A beautiful sun heats up the new version of Place Jean-Jaurès.

After two years of contested work, and no less than 18 million euros, the barriers surrounding this contested site have finally been removed.

Since this Thursday, the Marseillais have access to this famous place of 2.5 hectares, in the heart of the popular district of La Plaine, in the city center of the Phocaean city.

The rutted cobblestones, the huge open-air car park and its playground have given way to a large concrete pedestrian area with a few trees and benches.

Instead of a grand opening, with ribbon and bouquets of elected officials, the end of the work was first announced discreetly on social networks this week.

It must be said that this project is under fire from multiple critics, fueled by fears of gentrification of the neighborhood, and at the origin of several demonstrations, an occupation of the square and even the construction of a wall in response. to prevent intrusion.

"An important step"

Finally, the Solem, which led the work for the metropolis, invited the press on Thursday for a last-minute statement.

"This is an important step," rejoices its president Lionel Royer-Perreault.

We deliver this requalified public space to the people of Marseilles.

From today, the metropolis will be responsible for its day-to-day management.

“Only the playground, which is highly contested because it is considered dangerous, remains inaccessible.

“This playground falls under the jurisdiction of the municipality,” says Lionel Royer-Perreault.

The day before, the new Marseille municipality, long opposed to this requalification, had sent a vitriolic letter to the metropolis on the delivery of this work, adding a little more tension to this sea serpent in Marseille political life.

Concerns

In this letter, the elected officials denounce, among other things, their concerns around "the safety of children's games, the lack of fountains, accessibility for all audiences or the need for a waste management plan specific to the place ".

The town hall claims to have made proposals in letters that remained "unanswered, while technical work was underway in our services".

🔆The Plain is reopened to the public!



To think together about the reappropriation of this place by the Marseillais, we call on the Metropolis to participate in the consultation opened by the City with the users and the inhabitants on the uses of these new developments.

pic.twitter.com/hN9dCe7BLC

- Marseillais Spring ☀️ (@PrintempsMRS) May 6, 2021

And to tackle: “Learn about the reopening of this emblematic square in downtown Marseille through social networks and in the image of the lack of consultation that marked the entire operation.

"

"They put concrete everywhere"

At the sight of Lionel Royer-Perreault on this brand new square, several residents violently insult the president of the Soleam.

"I've lived in the neighborhood for ten years," Simon annoys, his little boy in his hand.

They put concrete everywhere!

If we fall, we hurt ourselves, that's for sure!

"

“Frankly, when I see this place, there is a real feeling of bitterness, sighs Mathilde.

Since the works, we have neighbors living in the neighborhood who see their apartments, of which they were tenants, being sold to Parisians, and having difficulty finding accommodation!

We want the Plain to remain intergenerational and popular.

"

"Risk of permanent degradation"

“This place was thought against the people, or at least in spite of the inhabitants and the users, in a great contempt of class, accuses Mathilde Chaboche, assistant to the mayor of Marseille in charge of town planning.

And there may be a backlash, with a risk of permanent degradation as a result.

"

“I hope that the place is respected by all, says Lionel Royer-Perreault.

We do not tag and it is normal that people who are caught in the act be punished ”During the last carnival of the Plain, organized among other things to protest against the potential gentrification of the neighborhood linked to this requalification, damage had been committed on work on Place Jean-Jaurès, for a total cost estimated at 100,000 euros by Soleam.

Marseilles

Marseille: The regional chamber of accounts points to the fiasco of the rehabilitation of the dilapidated city center

Miscellaneous

Coronavirus in Marseille: Giant open-air aperitifs bring together hundreds of people

  • Marseilles

  • Controversy

  • Works

  • Square

  • Town planning