“Why renovate?” echoes in the heart of Place de la Hêtraie. This square in Limeil-Brévannes is undergoing a transformation. Let’s uncover the story behind this 7 million euro project.
Place de la Hêtraie’s five buildings date back to the 1970s. Hélène Schwoerer from Paris Habitat explains they weren’t high-quality constructions to begin with. After forty years, the bathrooms were worn. The apartments’ layout needed improvement.
Paris Habitat manages 125000 homes in Île-de-France. They are leading the renovation. They want to make the buildings attractive in a challenging neighborhood like Place de la Hêtraie. The renovation aims to improve residents’ lives.
The rehabilitation project will finish before September 2020. All 209 housing units at Place de la Hêtraie will be completely renovated. This includes kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets. Apartment entrance doors will be replaced. The new doors will be fire-resistant and thicker. The buildings’ thermal insulation will also be improved. This includes the roofing and flooring.
Common areas will also see changes. Asbestos will be removed. Access will be improved for people with reduced mobility. The square between the buildings will be greened. A children’s play area will be added.
Will the rents increase? Yes, they will. Paris Habitat says the insulation work makes a rent increase unavoidable. The increase will be 20 euros per month. It will be spread over five years.
What do residents think? Opinions vary. One resident in the elevator said the buildings are run-down and need the work. Christian, a resident of Place de la Hêtraie for over 20 years, is happy about his new bathroom. However, he misses the old garbage chute.
The neighborhood faces challenges. Violence related to drug trafficking is a concern. However, Cristina says life is quiet here. Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said the real problem is people not respecting the area. He added that it’s dirty and there’s trash everywhere.
Other projects are planned. In 2018, the state approved an urban renewal project for Place de la Hêtraie. This also includes the Haie Griselle area in Boissy-Saint-Léger. Eventually, the Charles-de-Gaulle avenue intersection will be redesigned. Françoise Lecoufle, the mayor of Limeil-Brévannes, mentioned a meeting about illegal parking along the road.
The town is focusing on public buildings to improve the quality of life. Besides the neighborhood center, they plan to open an inter-municipal crèche on Avenue du 8-Mai-1945 in 2022. The story of Place de la Hêtraie is one of renewal. It’s a commitment to improving life for its residents.