Long-term construction in Santa Cruz: City authorities have undertaken the reconstruction of the bullfighting arena.
The city authorities of Santa Cruz are planning the reconstruction of the Plaza de Toros arena, trying to reconcile the interests of the owners, the historical value of the building, and the modern needs of the city.
For almost 30 years, the Plaza de Toros bullring in Santa Cruz has been waiting for a new life. But everything is stuck because the city authorities cannot decide what to do with it. This issue is currently being considered in the new general city plan, but there are nuances, because the historical value of the building must also be confirmed by a special commission.
The owners of the arena have almost lost hope, but it seems that the ice has broken. The Santa Cruz City Council has decided to take matters into its own hands and develop a reconstruction plan that would take into account both modern needs and the historical value of the building.
Zaida González, the city planning councilor, explained that the city council wants to expand the possibilities of using the arena. Currently, according to the 1992 plan, only sports events can be held there.
González added that the city council terminated the contract with the previous team that was working on the reconstruction plan because they did not provide all the necessary documents in time. Therefore, the city council decided to complete this project on its own.
The mayor of the city, José Manuel Bermúdez, noted that the Plaza de Toros is private property, but the historical heritage commission is very meticulous about any changes.
The mayor explained that the owners are ready to invest money in the reconstruction, but they want these investments to pay off. Therefore, they propose to create, for example, a shopping center or an entertainment complex with restaurants there. But first you need to get permission from the historical heritage commission.
The owners will not invest money if they do not profit from it. Now the main thing is to find a compromise between the wishes of the owners and the requirements of the commission in order to save this abandoned building.
The Plaza de Toros arena was opened in 1893. It was built by the architect Antonio Pintor by order of a local company. Not only bullfights were held here, but also sports competitions, concerts and even carnivals. In 1924, the arena burned down and was significantly damaged.
The arena was restored in 1927. And 65 years later, the last bullfight took place here. Since 1977, bullfights have become less popular, because people were no longer so interested, and the transportation of bulls from mainland Spain was expensive and harmful to animals.
Now the city council wants to find a solution that would satisfy everyone, and is ready to cooperate with the owners and the historical heritage commission to give the arena a new life.