Santa Cruz Council Moves to Secure Dangerous Añaza ‘Eyesore’ Following Failed Tender
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is implementing emergency measures to secure the abandoned Añaza building following a failed tender, while simultaneously addressing risks to European funding and launching repairs after Storm Therese.
The future of the unfinished Añaza building—long known as the "mamotreto" or eyesore—is back at the center of political debate in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The City Council has announced it will use an emergency procedure to secure the site after a previous 113,000-euro tender failed to attract any bidders. The move follows a fatal incident at the property last December and aims to stop people from entering the dangerous structure.
The new plan involves sealing off vulnerable entry points, removing dirt piles that allow access to the sixth floor, and blocking staircases from the ground to the fourth level. Urban Planning Councilor Zaida González argued that these measures are necessary because vandals repeatedly destroy perimeter fences and warning signs. The ongoing security issues have also reignited frustration over the building’s long-delayed demolition. Since 2008, the project has been stuck in administrative limbo, largely due to the difficulty of tracking down the building’s many different owners.
The socialist opposition (PSOE) has questioned whether these temporary fixes will work, suggesting that the council should instead use technology like video surveillance to deter trespassers.
The council meeting also touched on the management of European "Next Generation" funds. While the PSOE warned that the city risks losing 13 million euros of its 43-million-euro allocation due to slow progress, Strategic Planning head Carlos Tarife defended the council's record. He noted that for every ten euros received, eight have been invested. However, he acknowledged that the city must approve a new mobility ordinance by June 30 to avoid losing an additional 11 million euros.
Finally, officials reviewed the aftermath of Storm Therese, which caused 236 incidents across the municipality between March 19 and 31. The Anaga region was hit hardest, accounting for 39% of the reports, including landslides and rockfalls that forced road closures and the evacuation of eight residents. In response, the Security department has launched one million euros in emergency contracts to stabilize slopes and repair roads in areas like Taganana, Valleseco, and the Regente ravine. The local government also addressed concerns regarding social aid, denying claims of negligence in the distribution of food cards and stating that all cases of food insecurity are being covered by municipal services.