In a meeting of the Brussels town hall administrators on Monday evening, the city's mayor Philippe Close stated that he does not expect the Palais du Midi to be rebuilt by 2029 despite the metro line 3 project depending on its renovation.
“I say this so as not to give false hope," Close told colleagues. "But I don’t think there will be a new Palais du Midi for another nine or 10 years."
The mayor's prediction is based on the assumption that the permit to dismantle the Palais du Midi will only be issued next summer, with works then starting in 2024 and set to last for a minimum three-year period. A future reconstruction of the site "can only start again in 2029."
The comments last night come after Rudi Vervoort (President of the Brussels-Capital Region) confirmed that the iconic Palais du Midi building would have to be partially dismantled in order to build a crucial section of the M3 metro line.
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But as the iconic building is located in Close's municipality, the mayor is influential in the construction project since it will be his municipal council that sets the terms of the renovations for nearby residents and shopkeepers. The surrounding area is home to many local businesses, especially on Avenue Stalingrad.
Numerous shops will need to be closed and relocated to allow for the works to go ahead. It isn't yet clear how many traders will be affected by the renovation although Close estimates the number to be 130 shopkeepers. But others have claimed that it will be just 32 traders.
In any case, the City of Brussels' mayor stated that "each case will be examined individually, with traders to be given priority to occupy the rebuilt Palais du Midi." Close added that retailers who cannot be relocated to the site will be entitled to a premium for the purchase of their businesses.
