Paris has officially abandoned the idea of building a cluster of four buildings on the grounds of the Eiffel Tower after widespread protests, while moving ahead on a plan for new landscaping that will create more pedestrian and park space.
The buildings, which would have housed a cafe, shops, toilets and a baggage drop-off service, were one of two controversial aspects of the plan to replace roadways criss-crossing the area around the tower, making more room for pedestrian paths and parkland, as well as bus and bike lanes. The other controversy had already been settled when the city modified the plan by canceling the planned removal of 20 large mature trees.
Authorities still hope to complete the work before the start of the Paris Olympics in 2024, since it is a high-impact visitor area that will only become busier. The area has an estimated 150,000 visitors a day, including 20 to 30 thousand who visit the tower itself daily.
