The remodeling and modernization project of the Nuestra Señora de África Market, better known as Recova, is getting closer to being a reality. Some works are expected to begin in April 2024 and will allow the pedestrianization of the environment, in addition to the improvement of the exteriors and the different stalls that meet there.
This was announced yesterday by the mayor of the capital, José Manuel Bermúdez, during the visit to the aforementioned market on the occasion of the inauguration of the Christmas events organized in this popular enclave of the capital.
A meeting that was also attended by the vice president of the regional government, Manuel Domínguez, and the first deputy mayor and councilor for Public Services, Carlos Tarife, who were accompanied by the president of the La Recova cooperative, Estefanía Hernández.
Bermúdez pointed out that the contracting table awarded the drafting of the project yesterday, so once this document is taken to the Governing Board to validate the proposal, the winning company will have four months to write it and deliver it, so it is estimated that The works can be put out to tender throughout 2024 and will probably begin.
In this sense, the councilor added that “this is a project that seeks to significantly increase the competitiveness of this facility, while adding to other transformation projects in the city; in this case, from the Recova environment. With the development of these works, the Nuestra Señora de África Market, a central axis in the daily work of thousands of chicharreros and chicharreras, will be able to get even closer to the citizens who come here from different parts of Santa Cruz to make their purchases. For this reason, our efforts are aimed at improving both access to its facilities and improving the different positions that meet there.”
For his part, the first deputy mayor and councilor for Public Services, Carlos Tarife, stressed that “we have visited Recova to announce to businessmen the remodeling of the rear part, in addition to modernizing the exterior and adding more value to it. This is a project that was presented for Next Generation European funds, and now it must be approved by the Government Board to be able to put out to tender the work, which the winning company will be in charge of in terms of materials, furniture and deadlines,” he specified.
The project to reform the Nuestra Señora de África Market was selected by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, through the Secretary of State for Commerce, to receive financing from the aid line for strengthening commercial activity in tourist areas and for the support of markets, urban commercial areas, non-sedentary commerce and short marketing channels. Thus, of the 2.1 million at which this intervention is valued, the Santa Cruz City Council will receive 1,719,429.60 euros from the Next Generation European funds.
Future works will focus on the pedestrianization of streets and rear access to the property, as well as actions to improve and modernize the enclave.
Performances
Among the actions included in the project, as DIARIO DE AVISOS announced at the time, the pedestrianization of Darías y Padrón Street (rear façade of the Market and main façade of the attached Shopping Center) stands out, in order to favor not only customer traffic, but also improve the services currently provided, such as waste collection.
Likewise, works to improve and adapt the area occupied by the non-sedentary market of Rambla Azul, on José Manuel Guimerá street, are contemplated. An action that involves, on the one hand, the conversion of the existing booths on the promenade adjacent to the market to make them accessible. And, on the other hand, fully accessible routes will be created that will run through the surrounding streets, connecting with the Rambla Azul, its existing fixed booths and the non-sedentary market stalls.
The improvement of energy efficiency in public lighting, the installation of photovoltaic panels, the implementation of Wi-Fi, and the renewal of signage are other actions included in the project.
