The winning design which is set to transform Vara de Rey has finally been chosen by a panel of experts headed by Mayor Lurdes Costa, and including architects, local business owners and residents. Out of the total of 21 entries, “Sota Vila” was selected, a project which had been drawn up by the architects, Aldayjover, based in Barcelona and Zaragoza.
The Councillor for Housing and the Historical Area, Marc Costa, confirmed that what the panel had liked most about the winning project was the fact that the proposal had included a detailed report outlining the current urban problems around the town. However, he added there were some ideas which the panel was not so happy with and these would have to be changed before the final project could be approved.
The main idea of the project is to pedestrianise Vara de Rey, with the zone from the port to the walls of Dalt Vila interlinked by a series of four plazas. Whilst Vara de Rey will be made into a square, plaza del Parque will be maintained, with vehicles being removed from the area. The project stated that until now traffic had been given priority in the area, in most cases to the detriment of pedestrian safety.
One of the more daring ideas was to build a through road around the back of Plaza del Parque, but this has been ruled out, with the solution of access probably being to leave restricted access via one of the lanes already in place during certain times, an idea which was first suggested by the Town Hall.
One of the main problems caused by the project will be the elimination of several parking spaces, something already lacking in the area. However, this will be solved by the construction of a new car park, probably, according to the Town Hall, close to parque Reina Sofia, with the option of building such a facility below Vara de Rey has been ruled out as too expensive.
Another idea which the panel found interesting, but will need to be studied further, is to create a new access to the Old Town through the Sant Pere defence. The report argued that the current entrance via the Portal Nou ramp was inadequate, and proposed a new entrance in the corner of one of the new plazas to be built in Sant Pere. There would also be the option of installing a lift to take visitors up to plaza del Sol.
Mayor Costa explained that the project had an original budget of €1.8 million, although this could be increased at a later date depending on the final details.
The five projects which made the final can be seen from 15th January at the cultural centre S’Alamera.
Meanwhile, the Town Hall revealed it had given the contract to build 30 social houses and various garages in Can Cantó to Ferrovial Agroman SA at a price of €2.34 million.
