Reopen the terraces of the Ponchettes to the public, redevelop the Cité du Parc, the roadway, and the north sidewalk of the Quai des États-Unis: this is the commitment made by deputy mayor Christian Estrosi. While the project’s cost is estimated at around 12 million euros, its goal is to “beautify the city of Nice” and provide “a better quality of life for the people of Nice,” as explained by the mayor, determined to give the city the dimension of a green city of the Mediterranean.
### A View of the Sea and Cours Saleya
To make this a reality, there will be various changes. First and foremost, Christian Estrosi wants to reopen the terraces of the Ponchettes to pedestrian traffic. Work is therefore planned to begin in 2011 for a duration of one year. The aim is to secure the roofs, install elevators for people with reduced mobility, build walkways, and conceal the unsightly technical equipment present on-site.
Faced with such a project, residents have no shortage of ideas or, at times, objections. During the consultation, some expressed their concerns to Christian Estrosi in front of an attentive audience. While one fears the terraces will become a place of “bad company,” another resident—living in an apartment located beneath one of the terraces—is worried about the noise pollution caused by heels, rollerblades, … from future pedestrians. Responding to these concerns, the mayor said, “We will add a layer of sound insulation. We will conduct a test elsewhere, and if the insulation is not satisfactory, I am willing to reconsider things. I might have a 5% margin of error. But if it works…!” Others, fully in favor of the project, offer proposals. This is the case for a president of an association who suggested hiding chimneys with hollow statues.
### Space for Pedestrians!
Another aspect highlighted during this consultation: the Quai des États-Unis. No more illegal verandas encroaching on the sidewalk! Christian Estrosi was clear: “I want the population to reclaim what belongs to them.” As the saying goes, a warned man is worth two: fines will be issued. The mayor also wishes to widen the “cluttered” north sidewalk. Delivery trucks that have no space to park, a sidewalk too narrow for people with reduced mobility… all these points are considered in the project.
### A New Breath for the Cité du Parc and Rue des Ponchettes
The “smelly street,” as this long-neglected area is nicknamed. In the catalog of horrors identified by the mayor, this zone is exemplary. Lacking aesthetics, Rue des Ponchettes mainly serves as a parking area for a few dozen cars. The mayor wants to make it a true link between the Promenade des Anglais and Old Nice. This place would thus become a quality public space, devoted to pedestrians. In a city where parking is challenging, why is the mayor deciding to remove some spots? This is a question many residents pondered last night. The answer: Christian Estrosi plans to create 600 spots at Sulzer, and within three or four years, around 1,000 spots will appear at the port.
A new consultation is scheduled for next month to submit the project one last time to the people of Nice.
