Copyright theleader
After years of delays, the long-awaited rehabilitation of La Plasa in Torrevieja has finally begun. The ambitious project, awarded to Grupo Cobra, marks the start of a full transformation of the city’s historic market building — with an investment of €8.3 million and a total public expenditure exceeding €13.5 million once all associated costs are included. Demolition and the First Steps Construction workers have begun demolishing the parts of the building that will later be opened to the outside, including the removal of the unsightly exterior emergency staircase — one of the many “patchwork” fixes added when the traditional market was converted into a shopping center in 1995. Inside, crews are dismantling the interior structures of the municipal market on the first floor to prepare for the complete overhaul. The renovation project envisions a modern, light-filled building that reconnects with its urban surroundings — a far cry from the dark, enclosed structure that locals have long criticized as oppressive and out of place in the heart of the city. A Long and Costly Process The project’s road to approval has been anything but straightforward. Mayor Eduardo Dolón, of the conservative Popular Party (PP), first announced plans for the redevelopment six years ago. Since then, the project has faced multiple delays, bureaucratic hurdles, and rising costs. The works themselves have been awarded for €8.2 million (VAT included), in addition to €300,000 for drafting the architectural plan and another €300,000 for project management. On top of this, the municipality spent €4.3 million in a controversial buyback operation to recover ownership of the building’s upper floors — property that the city had originally owned before 1995. That transaction generated over €1 million in profit for a private company that had recently acquired the ownership. A New Vision for the Market Alongside the rehabilitation works, the City Council has launched a tender process to award the management of the new market through an administrative concession. This will cover the ground floor and mezzanine level, allowing a private company to operate the new Mercado Municipal under a modern business model. The plan is to relaunch the market as a gastronomic hub and showcase for locally sourced “zero-kilometer” produce, following the success of similar food markets in other Spanish cities. Architecturally, the design calls for an entirely new façade with large glass panels replacing the dark, solid walls, creating visual continuity with Plaza Isabel II. The building will retain its current height but gain a bright white exterior and abundant natural light, making it more inviting and open. Despite these aesthetic improvements, not everyone is satisfied. Some residents and local groups had pushed for the structure to be reduced to two floors or even demolished entirely to create an open public square. The City Council ultimately opted for full rehabilitation rather than a complete teardown. Disruptions and Closures During construction, the underground public car park beneath La Plasa will remain closed. The municipal offices of Commerce and Urban Transport, both previously located inside the building, have been relocated. The Commerce office — one of the most visited in the city due to its role in issuing free public transport cards — has been temporarily moved to municipal premises at Calle Clemente Gosálvez 24, as noted on a handwritten sign at the market entrance. Mayor Dolón and Councillor Rosario Martínez have released only brief social media updates about the project, offering little information on the broader impact of the construction period. Support for Displaced Vendors Only ten market traders remained in La Plasa before work began, down from nearly fifty who operated there when the refurbished market opened in 1995. These remaining vendors were forced to vacate their stalls before the demolition phase. The City Council has set aside €170,000 in its 2026 budget to compensate the displaced traders, covering rental costs for temporary locations and lost income during the closure. The aid scheme mirrors those used to support local businesses during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Under the plan, traders who continue operating from rented premises will receive up to 80% of their rent costs, provided they can present proper documentation. Five of the displaced vendors have opted for this option, opening shops elsewhere in the city center. Those who chose to suspend operations entirely will be eligible for compensation for lost revenue, calculated based on verifiable sales figures. However, the scheme has limitations. The city will only reimburse rental contracts in the official name of the licensed stallholder and will not recognize transfers of market stall concessions. Some traders have voiced frustration that the last-minute rollout of the aid program left them scrambling to relocate or close with little time to plan. Despite these tensions, all displaced vendors will have the right to return to the renovated market once construction is complete. The compensation for rent and lost income from October, November, and December will be paid retroactively once the 2026 municipal budget is approved. Looking Ahead Once finished, the new La Plasa is expected to serve not only as a revitalized marketplace but as a vibrant social space and culinary destination. For now, though, Torrevieja residents must endure months of noise, dust, and disruption as one of the city’s most symbolic — and controversial — public spaces undergoes its long-awaited transformation.
