For the moment, the esplanade is completely surrounded by gates. From August 1, it will reopen to the public. But only from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
On July 16, a 32-year-old man attacked three young people on the esplanade Cœur de Maine, in Angers, stabbing to death these three young people aged 16, 18 and 20.
The alleged attacker was quickly arrested, charged with aggravated murder and imprisoned.
This Saturday, July 23, 800 people took part in a white march in tribute to Ishmael, the youngest of the three victims.
Since the events, for the purposes of the investigation and then of the various tributes, the esplanade had remained closed.
The City of Angers has just announced that it will remain open until July 31 and then it will reopen but only from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“It will be open during the day, explains Jeanne Behre-Robinson, deputy mayor of Angers in charge of safety and prevention. It is a space that lives well until 10 p.m. Our difficulty is certain behaviors, hyper alcoholism, it is a lot of people and a difficulty for us, for the police forces to regulate what is happening there.
For the moment, these are mobile barriers which prohibit access to the site but it is planned to make fixed grids “prettier” traffic-on.
A decision which is the consequence of the drama of July 16 but according to the assistant, the esplanade Cœur de Maine had been known for some time for its overflows in the second part of the night.
“The city is changing, this Jeanne Behre-Robinson, confinement has enormously changed practices in the public space. It is a space of freedom but which must be regulated and the freedom of some ends where that of others begins. Maine makes the noise spread. Everyone must be able to find their place in the city. We must be able to have a good time there, work there, live there and also sleep there.”
The decision to keep the esplanade closed at night is received differently by the local population.
“They will go to other places” points out a young crusader near the esplanade.
“It is often in September October when there can be overflows, testifies a student. It can quickly overflow but I come here often and in general it’s fine.”
A resident of a neighboring building, however, often found problems.
“In the morning, when I go to work, she says, there are bottles on the floor, it’s filthy. It’s not just the noise.”
Another resident is worried about this decision :
“Closing this place is counterproductive, he said. It goes against what we want to do, to open these spaces in Maine to Angevins, young and old.
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