The breakwater of the Port of Nice is just a few days away from a facelift that should rejuvenate it.
In this regard, Nice Première met with the general councilor, Marc Concas, who gives us some details about the nature of the work that will give a new face to the port but, more importantly, revive a legendary beach in the city of Nice: La Païola.
Nice Première: Your 2006 greeting card was illustrated by the port’s breakwater. Can you tell us about this new project in Nice?
Marc Concas: This is an urgent and important project as the breakwater was severely damaged following the storms of 2000, and its slow degradation poses a threat to the Port and its users. The work will take place in 3 phases:
- from February 15, 2006, to March 15, 2006: pouring of the concrete blocks (1 month of drying time)
- from March 15, 2006, to May 15, 2006: placement of the blocks by barge to support the breakwater, this phase must not exceed May 31, 2006, to free up the area for port activities, which increase in the summer period.
- resumption of work at the beginning of October for a delivery of a repaired structure at the end of 2006, the last phase to last 3 months.
NP: What will be the final result of this work?
MC: A fully consolidated breakwater and the end of the threat of structural collapse.
NP: Will the famous “Païola” beach be revived after the work?
MC: Yes, and I fought for it because the locals are very attached to this emblematic beach, one of the most well-known in Nice.
The Paiole beach will be replenished at the end of the work, as promised by the City of NICE and the commitment made by it during the plenary session of the port’s environmental advisory commission.
However, the DDE services do not want to qualify it as a “beach,” considering its location near a port structure and the legal risks that this qualification could entail. The DDE prefers to use the term “sunbathing area.”
I had to fight last summer to get the shower restored, which had been cut off by the municipality.
At the end of the breakwater repair work, Paiole should have the configuration of a beach, and I even dare hope for the restoration of the snack bar that existed in the past.
NP: What will be the total cost of this renovation?
MC: 4.5 million euros paid by the DDE, the PACA Region, the General Council of Alpes Maritimes, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The city of NICE pays nothing… but must take care of the development of the Paiole.
NP: Who will be in charge of executing the work?
MC: The DDE. These are seasoned professionals who are aware of the need to repair a magnificent structure and to safeguard the sometimes conflicting interests of professionals and residents.
