The Governing Board of Santa Cruz City Council approved, in its meeting last Monday, the foundational and execution project of the scheme known as Parque del Carnaval, prepared by José Ángel Afonso and Antonio Gabriel Arbelo. The project commences with a base tender budget totalling 3.619 million euros, including IGIC, and also encompasses “the assessment of the impact on the Santos ravine in relation to the project of the work and its addendum, both included,” as stated yesterday by the mayor, José Manuel Bermúdez.
The mayor emphasised that this is the inaugural public space themed around this celebration and signifies “making visible and providing meaning to a park situated adjacent to the Casa del Carnaval, with an impressive budget of 3.6 million”. He further explained that “this endeavour is a technical project which, following approval of its drafting and execution, needs to be tendered to commence the bidding process and will cover an area of 8,426.15 square metres”.
Meanwhile, the Councillor for Works and Infrastructure, Javier Rivero, remarked that, “we are now entering the phase of finalising the project, preparing for the tender, which will enhance the Casa del Carnaval and improve connectivity between the city centre and the Santos ravine”. Furthermore, he noted that the goal is not only to “establish a meeting point and revitalise neglected spaces, but to enhance the value of our ravine”. The councillor revealed that, “this will be conveyed to the technical service of Urban Projects, for necessary prior replanning to take place”.
“However, this will only be possible after the report on ownership and availability is delivered by the Heritage Service, aiming for its inclusion in the construction file,” he highlighted. Rivero also clarified that, as part of this endeavour, it is anticipated that this space will feature themed areas dedicated to the Chicharrero Carnival, “including a children’s section with slides and sand areas, a dog park, as well as a youth and sports facility.”
Connectivity
In addition to this project, the Casa del Carnaval and the upcoming park in this vicinity will enhance connectivity via pedestrian links with Antonio Nebrija Street and La Salle through the San Sebastián Bridge, along with other access points that will facilitate movement and foot traffic from Tomé Cano to the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium and from the commercial district and centre of Santa Cruz. Although not part of the medium-term objectives, the city council aspires, in the future, to extend connectivity to Viera y Clavijo Park as well.