The Santa Cruz City Council ratified yesterday, in a Governing Board meeting, a feasibility assessment for the potential creation of an underground car park with 600 spaces on San Isidro Street. This car park will occupy a section of the Almeyda military installation’s land.
The local authority has authorised this assignment, costing approximately 120,000 euros, to the Territorial and Environmental Management and Planning organisation (Gesplan) for the preparation of the feasibility report for the upcoming parking development, which will feature two levels and take up a portion of the Almeyda barracks’ terrain. The second phase of this initiative is scheduled for 2025, during which technical drafting and contract awarding will occur.
The mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez (CC), yesterday emphasised the significance of this project in enhancing mobility within the city. “This initiative addresses one of our city’s most pressing challenges: improving parking facilities and optimising public space.”
In this context, the council leader added that, “with the potential establishment of this underground car park, we are progressing towards a more sustainable city while also aiming to facilitate movement for our residents throughout the city centre.”
Councilor for Public Services, Carlos Tarife (PP), noted that “the initial phase of the project involves preparing the feasibility report, whereas, in the second phase, anticipated for 2025, we will draft the construction plans and proceed with awarding the contract once we ascertain the legitimate execution possibilities from the feasibility assessment we are commissioning now.”
The conservative council member reminded that “this car park will ease the parking demands in an area that falls within the influence zone of the Low Emissions Zone (ZBE), which will impose traffic limitations.” He also clarified that “this underground facility will not only enhance the availability of spaces but will also free up surface areas for pedestrian use, thereby improving the overall quality of life in the city centre.”
This initiative aligns with the aim of fostering sustainable urban advancement and promoting more efficient mobility. In October 2023, the Ministry of Defence provided a positive assessment regarding the transfer of part of the Almeyda subsoil to the city council for these future spaces, a request that the council has been pursuing for over two decades.
