Benidorm approves the remodeling project for Plaza Ciudad de Manizales, which will become a fully accessible space

The Local Governing Board (JGL) of Benidorm City Council has approved the basic and detailed design plans for the renovation of Plaza Ciudad de Manizales, thus ending the water leaks that have been occurring for years in the underground parking garage located directly beneath it. This was announced today by the Councillor for Urban Planning, Lourdes Caselles, who stated that the rehabilitation of this space, along with the well-known Colci Cinema on Los Limones Street, will represent an investment of approximately €510,000.

As Caselles explained, the project involves work in two phases: the surface of the plaza and the slab and structure of the underground parking garage. Specifically, the entire plaza will be waterproofed to prevent future leaks, and high-quality, two-tone paving and tiered seating will be installed. In short, “the aim is to create a pleasant, functional, and fully accessible space” in the plaza that will be “a meeting point for neighbourhood residents” and, on the other hand, “to ensure that parking garage operations are conducted safely.”

The councilwoman pointed out that “with this renovation, we are complying with the court order that the City Council had to resolve and pay for the leaks the plaza was causing in the underground parking garage, which, it seems, were caused by the planters and other elements located in the plaza.” Therefore, the approved project includes the removal of the planters.

Furthermore, “to eliminate the leak problem and guarantee that it will not recur in the future, the plaza must be cleared of all elements, including the children's play equipment, which would have to be anchored to the ground.” Therefore, “the replacement of the children's play area after the construction is not planned.” In this regard, Caselles pointed out that “families in the neighborhood have other play areas available nearby,” the closest being Plaça de l’Infant and Foietes Park.

The City Council’s goal is for the future Plaza Ciudad de Manizales to be as open as possible, fully accessible, with increased pedestrian traffic, and ultimately more vibrant. “The aim,” Caselles clarified, “is to minimise surface-level elements to create a much more accessible.”