- The Port Authority of Pasaia has presented this morning this new space of 16,000 m2 for the use and enjoyment of the neighbors of the town
- An urban project is closed in this way which, since 2020, has had 4 million euros of investment financed by the APP, the Provincial Council and the Basque Government
- The authorities present also visited other Port-City projects such as the new plaza on the roof of La Herrera or the works of the building of Sprilur
The Port Authority of Pasaia (APP) held this morning an event to officially present the new public square of 16,222 m2 located on the roof of the Port Lonja, culminating more than 10 years of urbanization work.
With the completion of the performances, the town of Pasaia gains a wide area for the use and enjoyment of its neighbors and neighbors. The maintenance of the same, will be the responsibility of the City Council from 2024 onwards.
The event was attended by, among others, Joakin Telleria, President of the APP; Álvaro Rodriguez Dapena, President of State Ports; Eider Mendoza, Deputy General of Gipuzkoa; Denis Itxaso, Delegate of the Government in the Basque Country; Teo Alberro, Mayor of Pasaia; Arantxa Tapia, Councillor of Economic Development, Sustainability and Environment of the Basque Government; and Azahara Dominguez, Deputy of the Territory and Tourism.
“This project is an important milestone in our commitment to close the relationship and coexistence Port-City through the urban integration of the port into the environment,” said Joakin Telleria, president of the APP.
The deputy general of Gipuzkoa, Eider Mendoza, recalled that the revitalization of Pasaia has been one of the "main priorities" of the foral institution in the last two legislatures and, thanks to the close interinstitutional collaboration deployed, has highlighted that this effort is already giving "important and beneficial" results in the daily life of the pasaitarras. "From Herrera to Ondartxo, from Antxo to Donibane, step by step, we are carrying out actions to revitalize Pasaia through different projects," he summarized. He also expressed the "firm commitment" of the Provincial Council to continue this effort in the coming years and, proof of this, he cited the recent start of the construction works of the Adinberri center, aimed at improving and innovating in the care and quality of life of the elderly.
For his part, the delegate of the Government, Denis Itxaso, stressed that “throughout the process of revitalization of the different spaces in the environment of the port, it has been sought to generate new economic opportunities and create employment for our community.”
The Mayor of Pasaia, Teo Alberro, for his part, stressed that “after years of waiting today we can say that a new space is opened for public use that will promote port-city coexistence and that represents a great advance in that sense”. He welcomed this and concluded his speech by urging all the institutions present to continue working along this path, since the citizens of Pasaia and the people of Pasaia have deserved it for decades.
“The Basque Government, in interinstitutional collaboration, has worked to reconcile the industrial character of the port and its potential as a relevant space for the marketing and distribution of fish. The new market and the future new building that Sprilur builds, in the area of La Herrera with offices and parking spaces next to Adinberri, will contribute to meet business, social and neighborhood needs” stressed the Councilor, Arantxa Tapia.
Urban and environmental contribution
The new landscaped space has a vegetable slope that allows the planting of different tree species. In addition, it helps to close the Lonja building and generate a façade of strong environmental load and high urban quality, as it reduces the visual impact of the western façade along Esnabide Kalea.
Another positive aspect of the performance is the widening of the pedestrian sidewalk of Esnabide Street, as well as the incorporation of an area of benches, shade structures and a children’s playground for children in Pasaia.
With the completion of these works, a project will culminate that began in 2011 with the objective of building a new Lonja integrated in the district of San Pedro and that last 2022 took an important first step with the construction and opening of a 3,000 m2 square next to the building.
In total, since 2020, about 4 million euros have been invested in the urbanization of the space financed by the APP, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa and the Basque Government.
The execution of the last phase of the works, which began in October 2022, has been carried out by UTE Obrascon Huarte Lain, S.A. - Construcciones Adolfo Sobrino, S.A.
Port-City Tour
The presentation ceremony was preceded by a brief visit to the new square located on the roof of the warehouses of La Herrera, open to the public at the end of May.
Then, the authorities took the opportunity to take a tour of other initiatives that are part of the Port-City axis of action of the APP and have checked the situation of the works of the building that the public company Sprilur is building in the port space, as well as the plot on which the next project of the Adinberri Foundation of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa will be built.
Visit of the President of State Ports
In addition, earlier today, the president of State Ports, Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, held a meeting with the president and director of the Port Authority, Joakin Telleria and David Candelario, respectively.
During the meeting, several important milestones for the port were discussed, such as the situation of the concessions, the most relevant investments that are going to be carried out or the different new traffic that is being worked on, such as potasas.