In Torrevieja, every substantial municipal infrastructure initiative is accompanied by a corresponding cost overrun. In the context of the city’s waterfront renovation, it has occurred once more. This project involves the redevelopment and demolition of the land on the avenue, the former Paseo de La Libertad, and the fairgrounds. The Urban Planning Department assigned a euphemism to this project that was not directly related to the project’s scope: the Primary Electrification Project for the Port Area. Nevertheless, the primary focus of the project has been the demolition of the avenue and Paseo de La Libertad, as well as the elimination of a significant number of its distinctive trees. The infrastructure will also be modified to accommodate the redevelopment that is yet to be determined.
In excess of one million euros
The construction of this investment was initiated in mid-March of this year, despite the fact that it was awarded €3,265,085, last December. Yesterday, the local government board authorised the process to increase the cost by €1,159,000. This implies that the contract, which was granted to Abala (Hozono Global Group), will surpass €4,424,000, assuming no additional surprises.
Federico Alarcón, the councillor for the local government board, who provides weekly updates on the agreements of the primary collegiate municipal management body, declined to provide an explanation for the 35% increase in investment costs.
He emphasised that the primary cause is the reinforcement of the foundation, which is necessary due to the instability of the porous soil in the port area and the water table, which is located only a few metres below the surface. This is a well-known geological characteristic of the terrain that the previous Ipydo-Laquant project did not address, at least in the dimension that has subsequently been reflected in this cost escalation. The concessionaire of the new Paseo del Mar leisure area, which is currently being constructed on an adjacent parcel of land in the port, was compelled to double the piling system of its foundation in order to construct an underground parking lot.
The land and fundamental infrastructure of the municipal area of the Port are being prepared for the final redevelopment through these works, a project whose final version remains unknown. The Avenida de la Libertad will be removed, and the resulting space will be pedestrianised, from the sidewalk in front of the current road to the leisure centre. The proposal, which covers the entire area between Plaza de Capdepont and the Man of the Sea monument, will be submitted to public participation by the governing team of the Popular Party (PP). The municipality guaranteed that a significant number of the date palms and ficus trees that were established in the 1970s would persist. Currently, approximately half of the specimens that were responsible for revitalising the urban visual image and milieu have vanished from the ground.
This area will host the amusement park, craft market, and the new promenade. The largest of the half-dozen projects into which the redevelopment of the waterfront around the Port has been divided, this final project necessitates an additional €12 million in investment.
The MÃnguez or Turbio pier rehabilitation project has also experienced cost overruns, with a 49% cost overrun approved for the same reasons. The González Soto Joint Venture and Montajes Eléctricos Llamas were awarded the project for € 1,484,985 (VAT included). The budget has already been raised to €2,224,000.The modifications have been implemented. The objective of this project is to excavate and restore the ashlar eastern escarpment of the first port pier in the history of Torrevieja, which is designated as a protected asset in the General Plan. The undertaking entails the construction of an artificial pond that will encircle the pier.
Paradoxically, the City Council authorised the closure of the western cliff, which was still visible, and the sheet of water that was filled in with concrete and now serves as a parking lot for a private yacht club, while the draughting and archaeological study of this project were being conducted.
The parking lot works, which degrade the heritage value of the pier, were not mentioned by the technicians from the archaeological study commissioned by the City Council from the company Arpa Patrimonio, despite the fact that they appeared to be ongoing in their own photographic documentation.
The walkway and the foundation
The Torrevieja City Council’s governing board authorised an additional modification to the urbanisation of the port and its adjacent areas at the end of July, in the same area of seafront redevelopment. For the construction of the footbridge that connects the Levante breakwater with the new Paseo del Mar leisure centre, an additional cost of 486,666 euros was incurred, which is 18.3% more than the previous cost of the works. The contract was awarded to a Hozono Global company for 2,630,583 euros (VAT included).
The reason is the same: the geotechnical characteristics of the land were not considered prior to the award, which was made with the corresponding prior project by Ipydo-Laquant.
An additional five million
The final project that has not yet been defined is the redevelopment of the port cliff between the tobacco factory docking area and the new fish market. This area was previously used as a docking area for the fishing fleet and has been appraised at an additional five million euros. The objective is to establish a promenade that connects the sea to the walkway that leads to the new leisure and hospitality area.
Leroy Merlin repeals the municipal license of a competing store in La Hoya
On Friday, August 8th, the local governing board of Torrevieja City Council announced an accord in which the City Council acknowledges the decision of a Contentious Court to revoke the licence granted to the German DIY retailer Bauhaus to construct a store in the commercial area of the La Hoya development, adjacent to the CV-905.
The court ruled in favour of the company, prohibiting the establishment of a large competing store for the time being, after Leroy Merlin argued that the City Council had not respected the prior public display period. The municipality has complied with the ruling without filing an appeal and will recommence the process. In addition to this licence, numerous food distribution companies (supermarkets) have requested certificates of urban compatibility in the La Hoya commercial area, which spans one hundred thousand square metres. This is the initial stage in the process of submitting a project and authorisation.
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