Having initially chaired the neighbourhood association of the Southwest district, Javier Rivero transitioned into politics in 2015 with the Canarian Coalition. After holding various positions in prior legislatures, he currently leads a key department within the Santa Cruz City Council that is pivotal for the city’s future: the Department of Works, Infrastructure and Historical Heritage. His responsibilities include overseeing projects aimed at revitalising the capital, such as the upcoming Palmetum Ring in Cabo Llanos, where the General Directorate of Coasts has halted plans to add new bathing areas.
-How would you assess your year and a half in office, especially considering the extensive renovations happening in Santa Cruz?
“One of the main objectives of this term is to make it the most productive in the last ten years for the rehabilitation of Santa Cruz and to reshape it into a more accessible and healthier city based on four major action goals. Our progress has been quite positive, with around 17 projects underway, from the Historical Heritage recovery plan, which is allocated 26 million euros, to the neighbourhood plan and the sports facilities plan. Additionally, we have completed eight school field roofing projects and are in the process of renewing the grass in six fields, along with future works at the Los Gladiolos and El Tablero fields. Many of the initiatives significantly affect citizens, like those in Plaza de Robayna and La Rosa Street, as well as fundamental infrastructure tasks, which may not be visible but are vital, such as the second bridge at San Andrés and the restoration of bridges between Bravo Murillo and Marítima Avenue. This has an investment of 3 million euros, supplemented by 2 million for Los Alisios, aimed at rainwater management to protect both this area and Santa María del Mar from severe flooding. I believe we are witnessing the perfect moment for investments in Santa Cruz, and in two years, we will observe a notable transformation of the city.”
-Does enhancing accessibility in Santa Cruz involve reducing parking?
“Accessibility can be interpreted in various ways, one being the perspective of a person in a wheelchair. However, we must also consider individuals with visual or hearing impairments, as well as those with psychological or mental health challenges. Consequently, it can be challenging for many citizens to understand that if a street undergoes renovation and previously had a pavement of 80 or 90 centimeters, it must then be expanded to 1.50 metres as stipulated by regulations. Thus, when we widen a pavement, it invariably leads to the elimination of parking spaces. What we are doing is transitioning from a city model designed in the last century, where the private vehicle dominated, to another model prioritising pedestrians and individuals with disabilities.”
-Are you suggesting that by 2027, we will have a completely transformed city?
“The majority of the projects currently being processed were initiated years ago, dating back to José Manuel Bermúdez’s tenure as mayor. Therefore, during this term, we will bear witness to the culmination of works that were announced at least seven years prior. Our current challenge within the administration revolves around bureaucracy, public sector contracting laws, and various hurdles hindering the execution of projects. During this term, we are progressing on projects such as Viera and Clavijo, the Juan XXIII sports area, and the 100% sustainable street, all of which were announced over five years ago and are currently underway. Additionally, we will advance the María Jiménez sports area.”
-Thus, we are going to see projects that have finally reached fruition?
“This term is crucial because many projects are now mature and most have received approval, leading us to concentrate on their tendering so that they are completed or underway before 2027. This grounds our optimism that, finally, after many years, we will witness the outcomes of political efforts from the past decade, which I hope the local residents will appreciate.”
-When can we expect the 100% sustainable street on Anaga Avenue to be constructed?
“We are installing solar panels in the Maritime Park parking area, and we are currently tendering for the execution of the pedestrian walkway on Francisco La Roche Avenue, as an administrative paperwork issue with the proposed successful bidder has delayed the initiation of a project that should already be underway. I hope that by early next year, construction will commence for this entire zone in the city that welcomes numerous cruise passengers, who will encounter a thoroughly refurbished façade of Santa Cruz, complete with a cycle lane and the total renovation of the paving. Our goal is to transform this area into a space conducive for sports or family outings, featuring play areas for children and two viewpoints.”
-Work is currently in progress on the 2025 municipal budget. What will your area’s priorities be?
“The leisure and sports area in María Jiménez will take precedence, as the Municipal Housing department has secured a project to build social rental homes there, directly opposite which the new sports facility for the neighbourhood will be situated. We plan to coordinate the timing of these developments. This priority project has a budget of 1.7 million euros, and we have already initiated the bidding process. I aim for the call for tenders to be issued by early January, allowing execution to commence throughout 2025. Furthermore, another focus will be the renovation of the Guimerá Theatre, which will become the largest project we have planned for next year in terms of its budget. We will invest 8.4 million euros, not only for the rehabilitation of the theatre itself, which initially cost 7 million, but also to include seating areas and refurbish all the artwork within the auditorium. Additionally, we have secured funding from the Cabildo and are finalising agreements with the Government of the Canary Islands. We also plan to undertake works in neighbourhoods such as La Salud, where the Ancla area will receive improvements through urban renewal to enhance accessibility. This project has already been greenlit, and we are looking to start the tendering process as soon as possible. Similarly, in the plaza of 1,000 homes, there is an approved project for the renovation of that square and its pedestrian surroundings, alongside a comprehensive urban renewal plan for the upper part of La Salud, estimated to cost nearly six million.”
-Have the neighbourhoods been overlooked in the works policy?
“I believe that rather than focusing on megaprojects for the city, it is far more critical to prioritise what the residents desire—that their square or street is well-maintained and that they have proper sports facilities to instil pride in their neighbourhood. At present, the most pressing neighbourhood project we are working on is in Health, alongside the sports areas of María Jiménez and Juan XXIII. Soon, we will also be approving the renovation project for the Ciudad Jardín urbanisation in Santa María del Mar, with an allocation of 2.5 million euros. We have been developing this project for two and a half years and aim to roll it out next year. In terms of large-scale projects, we will not find any in next year’s budget, as we will continue to focus on those currently underway, such as the improvements on La Rosa Street, with a final investment of about five million.”
-Another major initiative is the Palmetum Ring. Is there progress on that front?
“This project aims to completely transform the Cabo Llanos area, facilitating its connection to the sea and creating a leisure and sports zone…
for which we already have the proposal for the award regarding the drafting of the project, to be conducted by the Cabrera studio. Febles. They will be the winner of two of the stages of the Palmetum Ring, as the project also encompasses the pedestrian pathway of the Maritime Park, which will be executed by an architectural firm from Barcelona, creating a walkway that extends from the beach of the Maritime Park to the Gunpowder House, running along its exterior. This is a multifaceted project, and the feasibility is uncertain due to the bathymetry of the waves and the rising sea levels; nonetheless, we will endeavour to progress. The ring and the waterfront will predominantly be pedestrian-friendly, with awards expected in the upcoming weeks, aiming for approval within a year and a half. Consequently, the construction will not commence during this term; however, it will be drafted for execution with a provision of 13 million euros. The objective is to transform this area into a revitalised Santa Cruz. This initiative also involves Costas and the Port Authority, necessitating adherence to municipal urban planning regulations, particularly since the new Palmetum linear park will also be integrated. Although there were aspirations for the establishment of bathing areas, Costas has informed us that this will not be possible. Nevertheless, we are committed to executing this project effectively, as the drafting contract alone is valued at 300,000 euros, and we intend to facilitate the pathway for construction commencement by 2026, alongside exploring funding opportunities.”
-The restoration of Historical Heritage is another pivotal aspect. What remains unresolved?
“Santa Cruz holds the title of the municipality with the highest number of BIC in the Canary Islands, starting with the Guimerá Theatre. However, there are additional projects, such as the refurbishment of the Irineo González building, valued at 8 million euros, where we are assessing potential uses as there is an obligation in this regard with the royal academies. Yet, given the vastness of the property, discussions are ongoing with other administrations to determine its future functionality, since it also falls under the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Community, not the City Council. Furthermore, there is the Villasegura building, where the project is nearing the end of its drafting phase, and once approved, we will need to seek financing.”
-Another issue concerns the García Sanabria park bar, a case currently with the Provincial Court, where the City Council faces allegations for permitting an illegal electricity connection.
“We await the court’s verdict. For years, we have informed the operator of an irregularity in the invoices, stating that the electricity consumption of the terrace must be settled, hence there has been no abandonment from the municipality’s side. Additionally, the concession for the bar has already lapsed, initially granted in 2014, with the transfer of the concession from the original tenant to the new one occurring in 2021, leading the new tenant to feel misled due to the previous tenant’s failure to disclose the outstanding debt to the City Council. Currently, this concession has ended, and we have secured a new one, completely unrelated to the ongoing legal dispute. As a result, in a few months, there will be a new concessionaire, although the quantified debt for the electricity supply will remain the responsibility of the former operator. In the new concession of the kiosk-bar, we have mandated that the new concessionaire must undertake the installation of an electricity meter, distinctly separating it from the park’s electricity network. Moreover, the technical specifications stipulate that authorisations must be obtained to activate the currently non-functional elevator, along with necessary waterproofing of the roof. The estimated cost amounts to approximately 140,000 euros, an investment that the concessionaire will make, which will be deducted from the total fee.”
-Moving on, what is the latest regarding the future Youth House in the Southwest district?
“The Southwest is renowned as the youthful district of the capital, housing a greater population under the age of 17 than those aged over 65. This demographic lacks accessible resources, which is why a building spanning 3,000 square metres has been acquired in El Sobradillo to establish the Youth House. This facility will feature a floor area of 600 square metres, incorporating a study room that will be open 24 hours a day during exam periods, complete with mobile panels. The rest of the floors will house the Citizen Attention and Information Office, Social Services, the Tagoror, and the District Office.”