Mercadona, the sole bidder, has secured the surface rights for 75 years on a plot of over 6,500 square meters on Costabona street. This project, in collaboration with the social housing foundation Hàbitat 3, plans for the construction of a supermarket and affordable rental housing units.
The Councilor for Economic Services, Antonio Rodríguez Galián, highlighted the importance of advancing the project, which involves a canon of 4.5 million euros for the City Council. The plot will be divided into 2,500 square meters for commercial use, designated for the new supermarket, and 2,400 square meters for affordable rental housing to be managed by Hàbitat 3. These apartments will be allocated through the single registry of applicants for VIMUSA and must be on the market within five years. The remaining 1,500 square meters will be allocated to public space, including playgrounds, streets, squares, and parking areas.
Galián described the operation as "well-rounded," stating it will bring dynamism to the area and have a positive economic and commercial impact without increasing municipal spending. Lluís Matas, former deputy mayor for Economic Promotion, also welcomed the agreement, noting the challenges in combining the commercial aspect with affordable housing.
Councilor Santi Valls (ERC) pointed out that Mercadona's project received a technical score of 4.25 out of 5, which could be considered a "fail." He criticized the company for requesting the maximum concession period (75 years) and offering the minimum fee, although he acknowledged they won the bid by being the only participant.
The proposal was approved with favorable votes from the PSC, Junts, Vox, and PP (19 councilors). ERC, Sabadell En Comú Podem, and the non-attached councilor Gabriel Fernàndez abstained (5 councilors), while the three councilors from Crida voted against.
