More than a year after the end of the construction of the last eco-district housing in Dijon in 2022, problems continue to be noted by the inhabitants in May 2023. In particular water leaks in private homes and in a business.
Since the inauguration of the first buildings in the Faubourg-Raines eco-district, water has flowed under the bridges. Also in some accommodations.
The residents interviewed assume that the work was finished “in a hurry” to coincide with the inauguration of the Cité de la Gastronomie on May 6, 2022.
This is also what certain shopkeepers on Avenue de l’Ouche can hear, such as the Arquebuse pharmacy, the Potimarron, or the Coiff Création hair salon.
“I hear about leaks on balconies, water infiltration, problems with paint finishes… Many feel that it was done in a hurry, to be finished on time. “
Wendyhair salon Coiff Creation
Wendy is busy with scissors in one hand and clippers in the other. Some of his customers come from these new homes, “a benefit” for businesses like his.
Among them, some confide in their troubles. “I hear about leaks on the balconies, water seepage, problems with finishes, paint… Many feel that it was done in a hurry, to finish on time .”
Cheimaa goes with her son to a friend who lives in the eco-district, walking along a building that houses social housing on Avenue de l’Ouche. She lived there from July 2021 to March 24, 2023. Time for her to address several problems that some of her former neighbors also had to face according to her.
“Several times we had problems with the toilets leaking”she recalls in an annoyed tone. “The balcony did not drain, when it rained it was very dirty. And for new housing, I was quite surprised because it was difficult to heat when it was cold.”
“It was especially in the first few months, now it’s better. You have to make adjustments on such recent buildings, it’s normal.”
Pauline*responsible for one of the buildings
Pauline* is responsible for one of the buildings in the eco-district. Problems of this kind, she has already seen them elsewhere, so she tempers: “It was especially in the first few months, now it’s better. You have to make adjustments on such recent buildings, it’s normal.”
(*name has been changed to maintain anonymity)
Raphaël has been living in the AuthentiCité residence, just behind the Cité de la Gastronomie, for a year, and like “two or three” of his neighbors he has problems in his accommodation. “I have two water leaks, one in the living room and one in the bedroom”, he assures. “It came after the first rains, not immediately after my installation.”
He reckons it’s “no big deal”, his main annoyances being damp walls that cause complaints to peel off and damage paintwork. In an attempt to solve its problems, Eiffage, in charge of the construction of the eco-district, has already passed: “They came two or three times, but it continues. They have to come back on May 11, so I hope that after that it will be better.”
François Deseille, second deputy mayor of Dijon delegate to the finances and the international city of gastronomy and wine, is closely following the file, in particular that of the AuthentiCité residence. He wishes to reassure the inhabitants of the district: “It’s the fate of any construction. People complain, it’s normal. We are working with Eiffage to improve vigilance in the face of these problems.”
“There was no deadline imposed, nor guidelines to finish the eco-district faster.”
Francois Deseille2nd Deputy Mayor of Dijon
The elected official also encourages people to report their problems to the town hall. To respond to people who think that the work could have been botched, François Deseille assures him: “There was no deadline imposed, nor guidelines to finish the eco-district faster.”
Opposite Authenticité, in the same building, is the Basic Fit Dijon Raines. Many customers flock to the entrance to this gym at the start of the afternoon. An employee opens the doors for us. At the reception, two pipes appear on the ceiling, it is from there that the water flows.
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“We had to move our office, because the computers risked taking on water”, explains the employee of Basic Fit. She arrived two or three months after the opening of the room in April 2022 and she has always had problems with water leaks. These problems even forced Basic Fit to move some out-of-service machines and stake buckets in the affected areas.
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“There are leaks that occur in rainy weather, but even when it’s not raining we have water that seems to be coming from the student accommodation that is above”suppose-t-elle.
Eiffage technicians have come several times, but their last visit dates back “a few months” according to the employee. “They managed to find where some of the leaks were coming from, but for the hospitality ones, it’s still ongoing.”
The Eiffage company, in charge of the works, ensures that it does its best to help the inhabitants concerned: “We understand and deplore the discomfort for the residents concerned and we are doing everything we can, with our partner companies, to resolve the leaks as quickly as possible and repair the associated damage.”
After having commissioned several expert reports to understand where the various concerns came from, Eiffage identifies them as “often multiple and complex”.
“We remain in constant contact with our buyers and tenants in order to keep them informed of the progress of the situation. Interventions are planned soon.”
The issues with the Basic Fit Dijon Raines will also be the subject of a planned intervention “in the coming weeks”.
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