Santa Cruz Delays Plaza de España Parking Municipalization to September

The transition of the Plaza de España parking facility in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to public management has been delayed once again, with the takeover now pushed back to the end of September. The City Council confirmed that the municipal company Viviendas Municipales—which was scheduled to take over from the private operator Interparking on July 1st—has been held up by complex administrative requirements.

This delay means the current private contract must be extended. Councilwoman Belén Mesa explained that the handover involves significant technical challenges, including reconfiguring computer systems, migrating user banking data, and transferring existing staff to the municipal payroll. The Council’s main goals for the takeover are to lower parking rates for the public and modernize the facility.

The project includes a 1.5 million euro budget to repair structural elements like pillars and ceilings, plus an additional 225,000 euros to install new elevators. To plan these upgrades, the Council has commissioned a 3D survey of the 30-year-old structure. Officials intend to carry out these improvements while keeping the parking garage open to the public.

The delay has frustrated local residents. The El Perenquén neighborhood association has criticized the Council for failing to meet its deadlines, noting that the transition schedule has changed several times since 2023. The group also raised concerns about the lack of communication with users and the fact that prices remain high under private management. As the City Council works to finalize the transition, residents remain uncertain about when the changes will take effect and when they will see the promised rate reductions.