The Manche department ready to give up the former Cherbourg Maritime Hospital

L’René-le-Bas areawill the former Hospital of the Armies of Cherbourg go through other hands? In any case, by a vote unanimously, the departmental advisers of the Channel gave their green light, This Friday, July 4, 2025to initiate negotiations for its sale with the Cotentin agglomeration.

Willing to negotiate?

A proposal that Christèle Castelein, departmental councilor but also president of the Cotentin agglomeration community, received and voted without wanting to engage more and for good reason. “We have just voted last week in community council, our new higher education and research scheme and the René-le-Bas site is the perfect example where to develop our higher education. […] On the other hand, we have not yet debated the project of the purchase or not of the site, ”she explains.

“It will be presented on September 11 at the office. No decision is made. It must be discussed between elected officials before engaging on anything. It will also be necessary to take into account the work to be carried out and which has not been taken. We will discuss between services, between communities and in connection with the region. It is a beautiful academic location. Afterwards, concerning the price, nothing is acted and the discussion is open. »»

Estimated at 15 million euros

If the department plans to put on sale of this strategic place for the agglomeration of the Cotentin, 10 hectares including four builts that house offices, 225 dwellings occupied by students, or even the socio -cultural space the other place, it is that The public concession contract with the Shemafor 25 years, comes to an end in three years.

“This is a concession for which we have already granted 48 million euros and there is a concession balance at 560,000 euros per year. We must not believe that we are at the end of what remains to do on this site. We can use the word wisdom To invite to look at what the department offers and to direct this concession to another buyer, desired public. The price estimated by the domains is 15 million euros, ”described the departmental advisor Alain Navarret.

It is not a question of getting rid of a slightly filthy baby with bath water but of leaving the hand to local authorities to enter a new phase. The Departmental Council considers that it has done the right start and it seems to be the right timing to consider the transfer of this concession.

For the opposition group in the hemicycle of the department but also for the elected officials of the city of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Dominique Hébert expressed the legitimacy of asking the question of the future of the René-le-Bas space and its management.

He has “a particular and strong sentimental charge in the hearts of the Cherbourgers,” he said.

“It is also a strategic building and land space with a significant and essential diversified development potential for the inhabitants of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Cotentin. But also in terms of regional planning, with ambition for the city to open this magnificent space in the Charcot-Spanel district, today in the midst of urban renewal. Faced with these challenges, the financial constraints of the department and the perimeter of his skills, it is not illogical that he separates from this space, moreover bought in 2003 for a symbolic euro. »»

A gift for Cherbourg?

Yet the departmental advisor of Saint-Lô Jean-Marie Lebéhot raises the question of the sale price: “Isn’t the cost a little underestimated?” Although we hide behind the areas, you need a fair price … “

The time for discussions, the president of the department, Jean Morin, had taken the time to calculate the price per square meter currently: “375 euros per m2 in the Cherbourg. […] It’s a matter to seize! “, He punctuated with malice.

Earlier at a press conference, he also pointed out that Cherbourg “needs constructive surface”.

“To host a campus, this space interests them,” he said before specifying that the construction of a new medico-social center (CMS) is also in the project along rue de l’Abbaye, in the area of ​​the René-le-Bas area.

A new social center in the project

“We must also recall the social issue and the redistribution desired by the Departmental Council to bring downtown Cherbourg closer to its new social action center, replacing the current CMS of the provinces, the Cherbourg-Hague pole, while not closing it and while having the possibility of welcoming an antenna of the CCAS of the City of Cherbourg on this site”, thus described the departmental advisor Alain Navarret.

“As much to think differently to welcome our social workers and provide easy access, right in the center,” also expressed Jean Morin. The estimated cost for the step, which could open in 2028, is 8 million euros. It will also be necessary to take into account the opinion of the architect of buildings in France.

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