• After the collapse of two buildings in the center of Bordeaux, the city takes the lead in piloting the first security works.

  • Not all owners are able or unwilling to pay their share, but the safety work must be done quickly.

  • A judicial investigation was opened against X for involuntary injuries and endangering the life of others.

This Tuesday was held the first municipal council since the collapse of two buildings of the sixteenth century on June 21, rue de la Rousselle in the center of Bordeaux. We still do not know the causes of the fall of the two buildings which caused three injuries including one serious, now out of danger. Thirteen buildings in total had to be evacuated in the area, for fear of a domino effect. The majority took stock of this sensitive issue while a judicial investigation against X for unintentional injuries and endangering the life of others was opened on July 7 by the Bordeaux prosecutor's office.

The work to be done in this street in the city center is complex: it is first necessary to consolidate the buildings that threaten to collapse so that the rubble remaining on the site can be removed and other security work can be considered. .

The design office, commissioned by the private owners of the buildings, approached companies which provided an estimate of approximately 480,000 euros.

But now, not all owners can or do not want to pay their share, depending on the case.

City-led works

As the legal deadline for starting the work has passed, "the city has decided to replace the owners, at least on phases one and two, and if necessary for phase three", announces Stéphane Pfeiffer, housing assistant at the Bordeaux town hall. It will carry out the work ex officio, and will also be responsible for carrying out the work. The invoice will be sent to the owners; who impatiently await the legal consequences. "The aggrieved owners will be able to turn against the person in charge but that could take a little time" estimates Stéphane Pfeiffer.

The work will start on Thursday and should take between five to seven weeks. An expert will then be dispatched to the site to validate them. Eleven buildings are concerned. Heavy security is planned for the four buildings on the odd-numbered side, the closest to the collapsed buildings, with bracing (which consists of putting wooden frames in the windows) and reinforcements on the ground will also be installed. On the even side, it will be a lighter security with just a bracing of the facades. "Today the expert was not able to enter all the buildings concerned for security reasons," said the housing assistant. Relocations on the even side could be considered as soon as this work is completed, but it will be longer on the odd side.

"The issue of unsanitary and unworthy housing was already in our priorities but this gives a boost," adds the deputy who recalls that an audit to identify degraded housing was launched after the collapses.

To help it on this thorny issue, the city is counting on state aid and is requesting an extension of funds from the ANRU (national urban renewal agency) allocated to financing the rehabilitation of the old degraded center of Bordeaux.

“We are hopeful that we will be able to find a solution with the State after listening carefully to the Minister during her visit;

July 8, ”slips the housing assistant.

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  • Housing

  • Bordeaux

  • Aquitaine

  • Collapse