The mayor of Arrecife, Cándido Reguera (PP), has met with the owner of the Islote del Francés, Jaime Cortezo, to discuss the possible future of this area of the capital. "Something unique worldwide," said the mayor after the meeting, who wants to turn the site into an icon for the capital of Lanzarote. This site is a land located in the middle of the marina, of 82,000 square meters, classified as a general system but with a favorable ruling that says the land is urban.
10 years ago, Cortezo presented a project that involved creating a new neighborhood in the capital in that area. Reguera told him this Friday that he does not agree with that initiative and that he wants him to commission a project from a world-renowned architect to make a building that is an icon for the city and for the Canary Islands.
The owner liked the idea
According to Reguera, who did not define what type of building he wants for the area, the new project should be "a focus of attraction for visitors", that "gives prestige to the city" and that generates employment. The idea of the City Council is to carry out an urban agreement and leave a large part of the land free for the enjoyment of the residents. This would mean that the City Council would have to compensate the owner with other land in another area.
For his part, Jaime Cortezo said after the meeting that he liked the idea and that he has the feeling "that this time they are not going to ask me for anything." The businessman explained that the project could go ahead through a specific modification of the current planning of the city.
The cost of demolishing La Rocar
On the other hand, the City Council informed Cortezo of its intention to demolish the warehouses of La Rocar, the old fish cannery that are located within the Islote, and pass him the bill for the demolition, which would cost approximately half a million euros.
The City Council must select a company from among those that have already submitted bids. Cortezo has warned that in that case he will appeal the payment of the demolition in the courts and denounces that the City Council is using the roads of the Islote without compensating the property.
ACN Press