In order to advance this project, the council unanimously authorised the initiation of the contracting process for the drafting of the project and the completion of the renovation work for this infrastructure during an extraordinary session on Monday. According to Lourdes Caselles, the Councillor for Urban Planning, the objective is to present the procurement documents at the upcoming ordinary session, as they are already in an advanced state.
The councilwoman clarified that the current condition of the bullring is the reason for the decision to incorporate both the drafting and subsequent construction into a single contract. She stated during the session that the objective is not to demolish the current structure, but rather to fortify it. Nevertheless, the company may encounter issues such as corrosion or concealed defects after the work has commenced. Consequently, the municipal technicians contended that the combined contract would simplify the resolution of these matters. “It ensures that the building’s stability and suitability for service are guaranteed by a single responsibility, and it prevents overlapping responsibilities between the original architect and the construction company in the event of unforeseen circumstances or hidden defects, which are common in rehabilitation projects of this complexity,” she clarified.
The undertaking is divided into three parts, as this newspaper has been reporting for some time. The ‘Arena Live’ project is designed to “rehabilitate the plaza to transform it into a multifunctional cultural space, ensuring its continuous use and contributing to the year-round development of tourism by hosting cultural and sustainable leisure events throughout the year,” as explained by the councilwoman. The ‘Arena Joven’ initiative aims to establish a multipurpose youth centre that integrates training, creativity, and healthy leisure activities to encourage the participation of local youth and talent. Lastly, the “Arena Encuentro” project aims to eliminate urban barriers by enhancing connectivity between the Els Tolls neighbourhood and the centre of Benidorm through sustainable and accessible infrastructure that facilitates its complete integration into the urban environment.
The extraordinary plenary session also served to unanimously authorise the commencement of the contracting process for the new on-street parking management service, as Plaza previously described. Francis Muñoz, the Councillor for Mobility, declared during his address that the new vehicle rotation system will include reduced rates and exceptions for residents upon its implementation.
Francis Muñoz asserts that “this is a model that has been tailored to our tourism industry and should not be altered. Its objective is to guarantee that there is a regular turnover of spaces to prevent the city from becoming overcrowded.” The contract anticipates revenues exceeding ten million euros over a two-year period, with a service cost of 9.9 million euros, “resulting in a positive balance.” Muñoz concluded, “This is not an improvised contract.”
Other Articles
Traffic authorities intensify speed checks in Alicante
