The Heron Tree will indeed take root in Nantes. While the vagueness has reigned for some time around the progress of the cultural project, the metropolis and the company La Machine unveiled this Friday the “completed version” of this monumental structure, after three years of technical studies. The appearance of the tree, which will measure 35 meters high and will shelter vegetation and mechanical bestiary as expected, has not changed much even if the number of branches has been reduced (17 instead of 22). It is above all in terms of the schedule and the budget that this ambitious project, which must take place within the Extraordinary Garden, has radically changed.
Initially hoped for in 2021 and then in 2023, the Heron Tree, which arouses lively debates within the very majority, will not finally open before 2027! “We made a choice of method, that of not rushing, estimates Johanna Rolland the president (PS) of Nantes Métropole, who will have to convince the elected officials to vote for the acquisition of the work during a planned metropolitan council. at the end of the year. I believe that the current period is not the time to fall back. On the contrary, it is necessary to shine and make people dream. “
Almost 20 million euros more
Another point of tension, the budget has, as feared, soared. Due to “inflation” and a “particularly complex” project, it is now costed at 52.4 million euros excluding tax, against an envelope initially estimated at 35 million … The principle of part-financing equal between Nantes Métropole, public partners and private partners has been kept, which means that each party will have to raise 17.5 million euros.
“We consider it to be a reasonable investment,” said Fabrice Roussel, vice-president at Nantes Métropole. The metropolitan authority had already funded 6 million euros. For the second item (that of public partners), a little over 10 million euros have already been found thanks to the participation of the region, the department and the State. On the side of private funders, finally, it is announced that we can already count on the sum of 6 million euros, via an endowment fund joined by about forty companies in the territory.
More than 4,000 visitors per day expected
If all goes as planned, visitors will therefore discover in six years this “unique work” at the top of which two great blue herons will fly 45 meters high. To reach the top, you will have to wander between its branches, stairs, and hanging gardens to discover 28 mechanical animals (sloths, chameleons, etc.), some of which are already visible today in the Galerie des machines.
More than 4,000 visitors a day are expected in this structure, of which large lianas will fall from the branches as props. The project leaders hope that the Heron Tree will become one of the new symbols of Nantes, a “showcase of know-how” and a source of “visibility for the territory”. Thirty million euros per year in economic benefits are expected thanks to this site, the construction of which will involve 90% of regional companies, according to the promoters of the project.
The Greens express their disappointment
Opposed to the project, the environmental and citizen group of Nantes Métropole reacted to the announcements in a press release. “What a disappointment… After years of opacity, additional studies were presented to us this morning, in no way answering the many questions raised by environmentalists for several years now, writes Mahel Coppey. An additional cost of more than 40%, rising to date from 35 million to more than 52.4 million euros has been recorded, without any tangible explanation of the origin of these additional costs. “