On Tuesday, July 25th, to review the progress of the work, Christian Estrosi and his deputies, Anne Ramos-Mazzucco and Richard Chemla, visited the heart of the Acropolis demolition.
“We are on schedule,” announced Christian Estrosi, the Mayor of Nice. The surprise discovery on June 8th of three times more asbestos than expected on the Acropolis Convention Center construction site had somewhat called the schedule into question. However, by strengthening the teams, they were able to announce the completion of asbestos removal from the north front on July 25th. This phase is crucial as it allows the deconstruction work to (finally) begin.
The first victim: the bowling alley! The destruction of this symbolic weekend location for the people of Nice will inevitably bring some nostalgia. Similar to the demolition of the TNN, which sparked various criticisms, the destruction of this bowling alley stirs emotions in both young and old alike… Finally, the asbestos removal work is now focusing on the south front and is expected to last until the end of August.
Works Deeply Concerned with the Environment
The work on the future “urban forest” of Nice stands out for its environmental consideration. For Christian Estrosi, the key words of this project are “health” and “environment.” Indeed, the residents affected by the pollution from this work received special attention. The pollution is continually minimized. Initially, the water used to control the dust from the work is raw water. Thus, the residents have not experienced water supply interruptions or shortages.
The Mayor of Nice consistently emphasizes that this work is part of a circular economy. Indeed, out of 90,000 tons of waste produced, nearly 90% of valuable materials and 70% of debris are recycled and reused. This is well above the established standards!
The Prospect of a Rise in Property Prices for the Neighborhood
While the Promenade du Paillon season 2 project has sparked some discussions, real estate developers are rubbing their hands in anticipation. Currently, there is an estimated increase of nearly 30% in price per square meter in the neighborhood. Upon the project’s completion at the end of 2025, Christian Estrosi announces that the price could even double. He states that he has already received numerous authorizations for facade requalification. It is worth recalling that the city of Nice is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Finally, this future “urban forest” offers the promise of restoring the neighborhood to its full radiance and showcasing its richness.
