The project, announced in July with an investment of close to one million euros, includes the renewal of the utility networks, a comprehensive transformation of the square and a new arrangement of the vegetation.
The project for the comprehensive remodelling of Plaza Costa del Sol, in the Barrio de los Pescadores in San Luis de Sabinillas, has reached one of its most delicate points after several residents voiced their opposition to the removal of the existing planters which, they said, form part of the layout and character of the neighbourhood.
In response to this situation, Manilva Town Hall has met with residents of the area to present the project and hear their concerns and proposals first-hand before work begins. The meeting was attended by the mayor, Mario Jiménez, the Urban Planning and Infrastructure councillors, Juan Carlos Morejón and Marcos Ruiz, and councillor Eva Galindo.
The meeting comes after the Town Hall announced last July a project of approximately one million euros to transform this emblematic spot in Sabinillas. The project stemmed from the need to renew the water supply, sewage and stormwater networks, work which requires intervention in the area around the square and which the Town Hall proposed to take advantage of to carry out a comprehensive remodelling.
One of the elements that has generated most controversy among residents has been precisely the new layout of the space and the possible removal of some of the existing planters, given the initially stated intention of creating new parking spaces in an area where parking has been one of the main demands for years.
The Town Hall now clarifies the project
Following the meeting with residents, the Town Hall has detailed some aspects of the project and states that the existing parking spaces will be kept, while the space for pedestrians will be extended.
The project includes the renewal of the sewage and water supply networks and the reinforcement of the stormwater network. On top of this work, the transformation of the square is planned in order to make it, according to the Town Hall, more modern, functional and accessible.
One of the planned changes will be a new arrangement of the vegetation, a particularly sensitive issue for some of the residents who had expressed concern about the loss of the current planters.
The Town Hall now says that residents’ participation will make it possible to incorporate some of the suggestions put forward before work begins, thus opening the door to changes to the project.
Work announced for November
The timetable currently being used by the Town Hall puts the start of work in November, with an estimated completion period of six months.
In addition to the work on Plaza Costa del Sol, the project includes leaving the necessary installations ready so that work on the adjoining pedestrian alleyways can be carried out in a second phase.
The remodelling is part of a project that the Town Hall considers strategic for improving one of the most recognisable spaces in the Barrio de los Pescadores. However, the meeting held with residents also highlights the importance of striking a balance between modernising the infrastructure, improving accessibility and the need to keep those elements of the surroundings that residents regard as part of the identity of the square.
For now, the project is going ahead with work expected to begin in November, while some of the residents’ proposals may be incorporated into the final design before work starts.
