The titanic project of the Public Society of Marseille Schools
It is a symbol and it says a lot about this unique construction site in France to refloat a school park in bad shape: when the principle of the creation of a Spla-In was acted to carry out the pharaonic project of renovation and / or reconstruction of the schools of the second city of France, the presidency of this structure could only be assumed by the mayor himself of the city, Benoit Payan.
It remained to find the director with the right profile: Vincent Bourjaillat took office on September 19; he previously held the same position as director of the economic interest grouping (GIE) bringing together the two development companies of the Metropolis and the city of Grenoble, Spl Sagès and week Innovate.
Before joining Grenoble, Vincent Bourjaillat held the helm for eight years as general manager of the Spl Le Bourget Grand Paris (2013-2021), involved in the Greater Paris Metro station projects and the hosting of the JOP in 2024. In short, large-scale reconstructions and renovations do not scare her…
Looking for funding
Since his appointment, Vincent Bourjaillat has been working on how to do things: the Sperm and the City of Marseille have delimited the areas of intervention; the first will take charge of the major renovations of 188 schools, some of which will be transformed into reconstruction, without forgetting the construction of more than one of thirty new schools. For its part, the City of Marseille will directly manage lighter interventions in the other schools, up to €350 million.
Financially, the State’s contribution amounts to €400 million (€254 million of ad hoc subsidy and the relevant remainder of Anru common law funding or similar). The City will place an order with Spla-In, which will take charge, over several mandates, of the financing and the risks; instructed Vincent Bourjaillat to seek financing in the context of long-term loans, in particular from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Banque des Territoires, the volume of which the State will guarantee up to €650 million. The City of Marseille will then be responsible for repaying the loans contracted to Spem, via “rents” whose payment will be spread over years.
A ten-year project
“We have already treated nearly 300 schools in 2022, with more or less urgent work to be carried out”, explains Pierre-marie Ganozzi, deputy mayor for the School Plan and school buildings. In September 2023, the renovation of the Saint-Louis Gare school, in the 15the arrondissement of Marseille will be completed, as will that of Les Abeilles, in the city centre.
“Since we arrived, we have been busy dealing with emergencies. I am delighted that all the deliberations on the schools were voted unanimously in the municipal council, ”assures the deputy.
“The City and the Sperm are currently finalizing a framework partnership agreement. We will act in six waves of major renovations or constructions for the 188 schools, i.e. 40% of the park”, specifies Vincent Bourjaillat. “The overall objective will be achieved over a decade or so,” he continues. Then, the Spem will take care of the maintenance and upkeep and the shareholding, which will no doubt be assessed, as the saving presence of the State is no longer essential. The year 2023 will thus mark the starting point for the concrete interventions of the Spem.