Yesterday, the Cabinet sanctioned the allocation of a grant amounting to 4,787,540 euros to the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands for the initial phase of the rehabilitation project at the Las Chumberas urban area, situated in La Laguna. As the Ministry of Housing conveyed in a statement, “this funding aims to address the adjustments in expenses resulting from the intricate nature of the works,” highlighting that previously, from 2011 to 2016, the former Ministry of Development had allocated 12,623,160 euros towards this opening phase.
The Mayor of La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, described this announcement as “very positive news.” “It exemplifies the strong commitment and cooperation of the State concerning the Las Chumberas redevelopment process, whose initial phase is already quite advanced,” he remarked.
“With this allocation,” he further explained, “the Ministry is addressing the requests put forth by the representatives of the La Laguna City Council and Muvisa during a prior meeting of the Monitoring Committee of the agreement related to this significant initiative, where there was concern about the additional costs incurred due to the rising costs of materials, among other factors, including the upkeep of safety measures and the need for relocations.”
In the most recent gathering of this Monitoring Committee, which includes the Ministry of Development, the Government of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and the City Council of La Laguna, “the participants agreed to formulate solutions from a financial perspective, as well as to propose strategies ensuring the continuation of the replacement and redevelopment process with subsequent phases,” added the local official.
It is essential to recall that the work for this initial phase of the unique Las Chumberas initiative, endorsed through successive agreements, commenced in January 2021 at a total cost of 25,246,320 euros. Of this amount, the Ministry of Public Works contributed 50% (12,623,160 euros); the Government of the Canary Islands, 35% (8,836,212 euros); the Cabildo, 10% (2,524,632 euros); and the City Council covered the remaining 5% (1,262,316 euros). This additional sum of 4.7 million euros is now included in the overall budget.
Two New Blocks
The initial phase has entailed the demolition of ten blocks comprising 160 residences, along with their associated commercial spaces, which will be succeeded by two new buildings: one consisting of 79 residences, currently nearing completion, and another featuring 118 residences, which is 75% complete. Muvisa anticipates achieving the completion of the first block by early 2025, inclusive of all necessary technical and administrative documentation and certifications.
The project encompasses the expenses related to demolition, the construction of the two aforementioned blocks, the essential redevelopment and urban planning works, which are being executed concurrently, along with the required safety protocols throughout the urban area and the costs for the temporary relocation of families.
