Update on state-owned Jardins d’Apolline building

Caption, from left to right: Rémy Rolland (Director of the State Property Authority), Albert Croesi (lead manager for the Minister of State on the Apolline issue) and Olivier Lavagna (Director of Public Works) - © - Government Communication Department / Charly Gallo

This morning, Albert Croesi (lead manager for the Minister of State on the Apolline issue), Olivier Lavagna (Director of Public Works) and Rémy Rolland (Director of the State Property Authority) held a press briefing on the latest developments relating to the Jardins d’Apolline building. 

Albert Croesi, who was appointed lead manager reporting to H.E. the Minister of State on 1 July 2017, welcomed the responsiveness of government departments and was able to note the completion of a number of tasks (replacement of valves and installation of sand and UV filters at the bases of distribution columns in four blocks, and installation of filters on kitchen taps). It is expected that the water will soon be safe to drink again. 

With respect to forthcoming work in the apartments, once ground moisture levels have been mapped and stabilisation measures completed, all of the apartments (237) will be fully renovated, up to and including structural works (pipes, partition walls, tiling), on a block-by-block basis, starting with the worst affected blocks. This work will begin in early 2018 and will take eight to ten months per block. 

While this work is being carried out, residents will be rehoused in furnished apartments, taking into consideration the need to minimise the impact on delivery of new state-owned housing as far as possible. The State will cover residents’ moving costs and their furniture will be stored in secure storage units. 

In parallel, regular meetings will be held with retailers in order to minimise the disruption caused by the work to their businesses.