Despite the pouring rain, many local residents went to Arenaplein on Saturday afternoon. There they could view the latest designs for the renewal of their neighborhood. The city has big plans for the Arena District.
Outdated buildings are being renovated. What can no longer be saved will be demolished and replaced by new construction. The old Arena swimming pool will be demolished and a sports hall will be built. The district will be largely car-free and the open, green space will be upgraded. The works on the first phase will start this spring.
That sounds promising, but many local residents were not satisfied when they saw the latest plans. Because the neighborhood is becoming car-free, public parking spaces are also disappearing. For example, residents of Gabriël Vervoortstraat, among others, will no longer be able to park in front of their door. And that met with a lot of resistance.
Guy Bodson, who lives in Gabriël Vervoortstraat, reacts indignantly. “Last year I had solar panels installed specifically so that I could charge my electric car in front of my door. Now I hear that I am no longer allowed to park my car in front of my house, but in a public parking lot where I have to pay to charge it. There has been no communication about this. Enough neighborhood meetings have been held, but we were not listened to enough.”
Parking pockets
“We have decided to reverse the relationship between the above-ground and underground public car parks,” explains Arne De Backer, Public Space project leader at AG Vespa. “This is how we make room for pedestrians and cyclists. Four parking garages will be provided under the new buildings, providing 305 parking spaces. Visitor parking is above ground and is grouped at the front of the Arena Hall and in several smaller parking pockets at Herentalsebaan and Pastoor Holthofplein. This will create a total of 595 parking spaces.”
Arne De Backer of AG Vespa. — © nd
The new parking plan. — © AG Vespa
But it is not only the parking spaces that are classified differently that are causing concern for local residents. Myriam Wegh and her husband Paul Elsersmans live in the same street as Guy. “We have the feeling that the renewal of the neighborhood is a prestige project of the current administration. From the start, we have never had the feeling that we as owners are being heard. There is a say in the open space, but we have no say in the traffic situation and buildings.”
READ ALSO. Local residents of Arenawijk ask for a meeting with the city: “We have the impression that too much will be built”
“Not only will parking spaces in our street disappear, a new four-storey building will also be built 12.5 meters from our front door,” Myriam continues. “In addition, there will be a turning loop for trucks at the intersection with Frans Baetenstraat and Gabriël Vervoortstraat. We are not allowed to park in front of our door, while trucks are allowed to turn into our street to load and unload in the Frans Baetenstraat.”
“The city is prepared to sit around the table with local residents again,” responds Melina Lê, cabinet member of Alderman of Urban Development Annick de Ridder (N-VA). “We will have to thoroughly examine a number of streets to determine how best to tackle the situation.”
READ ALSO. First works for the renovated Arena district will start in 2024
The neighborhood moment at the Arenaplein. — © nd
The future plan of the Arena district. The left arrow points to Gabriël Vervoortstraat. — © rr
Tags: Arena district indignant neighborhood moment redevelopment insufficient communication Deurne
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