La Orotava Reworks Square Plan After Resident Feedback, Nears Brutalist Plaza Upgrade
La Orotava's Franchy Alfaro square will undergo a complete renovation, including new paving and lighting, with its current layout preserved after residents rejected an earlier proposal to move the kiosk.
Franchy Alfaro square is set for a complete renovation. This will include new paving, better lighting, and upgrades to the kiosk, restrooms, landscaping, and street furniture. The square's current structure and design will remain unchanged.
However, this isn't the original renovation plan commissioned by the La Orotava City Council and presented to local residents. That first proposal suggested moving the kiosk to the other side of the square to create an open space with seating for various events.
Residents did not approve of this idea. While they had no objection to important events, especially those related to the Patron Saint Festivities, being held there, they worried the square would become a constant event venue.
Felipe David Benítez, spokesperson for the ruling party, explained this yesterday at a council meeting. He was responding to a question from socialist councilor Samuel Mesa Valencia, who asked about the status of a project for the square, given that its renovation had been mentioned in the current government's election campaigns.
After listening to the public, the design team will now propose keeping the square's current layout. The council hopes to start the bidding process for this work next year, Benítez told this newspaper.
Samuel Mesa also criticized the government, citing "a lack of political will" to carry out this renovation, as well as those for the Plaza de la Constitución and its kiosk. He reminded everyone that in January 2014, his group's proposal to renovate the upper part of the enclosure with a new permanent stage for events was approved. He added that this cultural spot "would be very useful now that the Teobaldo Power auditorium is closed."
Regarding the Plaza de la Constitución project, Felipe David Benítez confirmed it's "almost finished." They are just waiting for structural calculations and load tests on the square, which will happen after Christmas, as they require closing off the area for a while.
He also mentioned that this project was delayed because there was an initial technical discussion about the square's potential historical value. The Finance councilor explained, "We learned that this square is a rare example of Brutalism in the Canary Islands. This style uses concrete with geometric shapes, and there are very few examples of it in the Archipelago. That's why we debated how to approach the renovation."
The council also unanimously approved a proposal from the Asamblea por La Orotava group for psychological support and anti-bullying workshops for students in the town. Coalición Canaria (CC) amended it to clarify who is responsible, as the Canary Islands Government's Health and Education departments are also involved.
The plan suggests that the regional government should continue to give teachers mandatory training on how to handle harassment and suicide risks. It also proposes that the Ministry of Education should introduce a professional psychologist in schools to deal with cases and keep working with the City Council to support children and families.
Finally, it recommends continuing to run workshops for students, teachers, and parent-teacher associations (AMPAs), and sending the agreement to FECAM to create a shared action plan for all municipalities.