The Cabildo of Lanzarote has started the rehabilitation works of Plaza Las Palmas, located in the historic center of the capital, with the aim of recovering and improving this emblematic space of the capital. The project, which has been awarded for an amount of 935,869 euros, is financed through the Next Generation EU Funds.
“We are taking the first step to return to Arrecife one of its most representative spaces. Plaza de Las Palmas is not only a meeting point for citizens, but also part of our history and heritage. With this intervention, we want to highlight its identity, making it more accessible, modern and attractive for residents and visitors,” said the president and councilor of Heritage of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Oswaldo Betancort, who visited the beginning of the intervention together with the vice president and head of the Planning and Project Coordination area, María Jesús Tovar; the mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León; the deputy mayor, Echedey Eugenio; and the municipal Urban Planning councilor, Maciot Cabrera.
Tovar stressed the great news that it has been for the island and the capital “that sees the light after five years trying to remedy this historical demand of the residents of Arrecife”. “Thanks to the Next Generation Funds, Plaza de Las Palmas will be an example of how correct planning and fundraising can improve the quality of life in our cities,” said Tovar, who wanted to highlight “the cooperation and coordination with the Arrecife City Council to carry out this work”.
The mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León, celebrates the beginning of these works, "the result of cooperation between administrations to respond to this place linked to the history of Arrecife, and whose project was blocked in the past term by the PSOE blockade. As a result of the dialogue and understanding of the political forces that currently make up both governments in the Cabildo and the City Council, the intervention has been unblocked. My goal was to start the works as soon as possible, and before the end of this 2025 the square next to the church of San Ginés will shine again”.
The mayor also highlighted "that the City Council will launch other works during this term to recover and enhance the work of César Manrique in his hometown".
The Minister of Public Works, Jacobo Medina, explained the technical details of this transformation: “The works include the recovery of the historic cistern, the renovation of pavements, the improvement of accessibility and the installation of new furniture urban. In addition, we will increase the presence of vegetation in the square, creating a friendlier environment in accordance with the needs of the citizens,” said Medina.
For his part, Maciot Cabrera, Councilor for Urban Planning of the Arrecife City Council, has expressed his gratitude to the Heritage Area. "His willingness and collaboration has been essential to promote this project," he said, stressing that it is a vital initiative for the city, and its achievement has been possible thanks to dialogue and consensus between all parties involved. "The political and technical will have been key to reaching this agreement so important for Arrecife," he said.
The works will have an estimated duration of eight months, with the aim of minimizing the inconvenience to residents and businesses in the area. The Cabildo of Lanzarote apologizes to the residents of Arrecife, not only for the long time they have suffered until they can start the transformation works of this square, but also for the inconvenience that the work to be carried out may cause.
