The delivery of the Allianz Riviera last September, ensuring the succession of the historic Ray stadium, offers the opportunity to engage in a comprehensive and coherent reflection on the future of the Ray site, which is at the center of a new debate also concerning the urban planning of the city.
The magnificent success of the Promenade du Paillon has had the psychological effect of increasing the inhabitants’ desire for green spaces in the peripheral neighborhoods. And there is strong opposition to a vast real estate plan, considered speculative.
This new phase of public consultation aims to continue the initial reflections already started and to gather the opinions and expectations of the population on the proposed planning orientations, according to the following schedule:
Last autumn, the communist councilors Robert Injey and Emmanuelle Gaziello unveiled a master plan from an urban planning firm that included some green spaces but also several buildings and towers.
At the time, the Mayor’s statements advocating a “self-financed” solution added weight to a similar idea. Then, the City Hall denied any value to this study.
So, the communist officials themselves launched a popular consultation for indicative purposes, arriving at the same conclusion: People want green spaces and local sports and social facilities.
The Mayor’s announcement of the opening of the public consultation* (from January 17 to February 17) will relaunch these different options: “Citizens are thus invited to give their opinion regarding the future of this unique site, which, due to its size, configuration, and history, is one of the last large areas that can and must contribute to the enhancement of our city and our living environment. At the end of this consultation, a report will be produced, and the development program will be finalized so that a call for projects can be launched based on the chosen program.”
But rumors circulate during these times of future electoral consultation, and there might be talk of a sports complex for the various basketball, volleyball, and handball teams (currently housed in inadequate facilities), for the neighborhood schools and colleges, and other local sports associations. And then?
What about the field (with stands condemned due to their dilapidation)?
Is this where the future headquarters of the Clinique Santa Maria, which in 2017 will have to leave the Lenval hospital, will be located? A healthcare facility with an emergency department in the neighborhood would be a promising idea…
And how to deal with the spaces of the Tennis Club Méditérranée adjacent to the stadium’s south side? Why not integrate it into the sports complex, perhaps even with two covered courts, which are rare in the region!
Patrick Mottard, general councilor of the canton, is familiar with the case and does not mince his words: “I can tell you that the consultations have always given the same result. All went in the same direction.
In overburdened Nice Nord, we don’t want concrete, and we want the freed space to be dedicated to green spaces, nearby sports, and leisure, with a supplement of public equipment. We want oxygen for this area wedged between the highway and north-south boulevards.
A detailed and reasoned document was published by the Entente of interested neighborhood committees. It remains relevant. Against this, it is clear that the City Hall has another plan with a significant place for real estate. Let it speak openly, without pretending to listen to the popular will.
As a general councilor, it is this popular will that I will rely on before, during, and especially after the elections so that no reckless decisions are made at Ray.”
Undoubtedly, the hill of Ray will be one of the key elements of the upcoming municipal elections, and this consultation will certainly be scrutinized by all candidates ready to take over the town hall…
To be continued!
