A little under a hundred residents of the neighborhood responded to the call of communist elected officials seeking support to oppose the alleged urban densification projects (in other words, building constructions) in place of the mythical Ray stadium, which has just been vacated by its host, the Gym.
Two conceptions oppose each other in this matter, and this goes well beyond content and proposals. One, that of Christian Estrosi, favors a public-private partnership that is intended to be win-win, although sometimes the winner is uniquely the private, who takes the entire prize.
The other, that of public expenditure at all costs, which applies ideological needs and merits that get confused.
But, on the other hand, how can we entirely fault Emmanuelle Gaziello when she reminds us: “The City Hall wants to set up a zero-cost operation. But why zero? Don’t the citizens of this neighborhood have the same rights as those in downtown neighborhoods where 40 million was spent on the Coulée-Verte? Hasn’t the Metropolis spent 50 million to buy the Plaza building in L’Arenas where these offices are located? And isn’t the City Hall currently spending 6 million euros for an aquatic stadium in the Plaine du Var? And what about the charge between 8 to 11 million over 27 years which will have to be paid to the Consortium financing and realizing the investment?”
To conclude: “Are the residents of the Nice Nord neighborhoods the only ones who must foot the bill and play the virtuous? The answer is, of course, no.”
Emmanuelle Gaziello and Robert Injey, who are the political referents of this initiative, have asked for maximum support possible for their initiative of participatory democracy, which is to allow people to express themselves and voice their opinions.
“This is not the habit of the mayor of Nice who makes decisions alone: At best, he arrives with a project already well put together and you can propose only marginal adjustments,” answers Robert Injey to those who question his action in the opposition within the Municipal Council.
And to recall the key points of the Mayor’s strategy: Zero-cost operation, prohibition on speaking of real estate speculation to use a more rounded word: Zone renovation.
7 hectares of land to be urbanized, which who can think of better should consider as various developers with a keen nose for such good deals.
Meanwhile, the threshold of 2,000 returned questionnaires, which would give substance to this petition, the analysis (which should be read as a first exercise) of the first third is clear on what the “northerners” do not want: “towers” as envisioned by the report and more large areas. Moreover, one can understand them, greenery in the neighborhood is rather a rare color.
Therefore, the request focuses mainly on sports facilities, with the primary being the preservation of the playground of the former stadium for local activities (L’Entente Saint-Sylvestre Nice Nord could be the resident club with over 800 members in all categories) as well as a sports hall with a capacity of 3,000 seats, which could also serve for events.
In fact, the people of the neighborhood are simply asking for a living space.
Other proposals mentioned? A residence for the elderly or for university students of Valrose faculties, a hotel…
So, a second public meeting is scheduled for November to finalize an alternative proposal to the one the Deputy Mayor is expected to present before the end of the year.
Until then, the watchword remains the same: Caution and vigilance.
