Almost three decades later, the council and ESLI reached an agreement to change the location of the car park, with the contract being implemented on a municipal site adjacent to the Alvalade market, measuring 2,325.39 square meters.
After the municipal executive recognized the proposal as viable, it was approved by the AML: BE, PEV, PCP and PAN voted against, Livre abstained, two independent deputies from the Citizens for Lisbon party (elected by the PS/Livre coalition), PS and MPT, as well as votes in favor of PS deputy Miguel Teixeira, PSD, IL, PPM, Aliança, CDS-PP, Chega and unregistered deputy Margarida Penedo (who left the CDS).
In addition to the change in location, the proposal specifies “a change in the period of coverage entitlement from 35 years to 41 years, starting from the commencement of operation, at least partially, of the parking lot.”
Presenting the proposal, Chamber Vice President Filipe Anacoreta Correia (CDS-PP), in charge of mobility, recalled that this contract has a “long history” and the move in Alvalade aims to meet the needs of the population of the region and increase accessibility to the investor with concession rights to the parking lot.
The new parking lot in Alvalada should be completed “early next year,” said Anacoreta Correia, saying the decision would free up public space and repurpose it for other uses.
“We do not support the idea that building parking lots is an agenda that is antithetical to sustainable development,” said the chamber’s vice president, stressing that the idea “is a mistake” and emphasizing that this is not about encouraging car use. but rather to have new intentions to occupy public space.
The CDS mayor also said the chamber is reaching out to commercial operators to promote a “very wide range” of parking that is not used by commercial establishments, especially at night.
Stressing that investments in public transport are “not comparable” to parking projects, Anacoreta Correia emphasized the commitment to provide free parking for Navegante pass holders.
The President of the Parish Council of Alvalade, José Amaral Lopez (PSD), believes that changing the contract with the company ESLI – Parques de Estajamento will meet the needs of the population, since it is “well known” that the Alvalade Area Market and the Avenida da Igreja are “promoters of chaos, disruption and constant failure to comply with laws applicable to motor vehicle traffic and parking.”
Jose Amaral Lopez said residents and traders are in favor of the construction of this parking lot, although some disruptions are expected during the work, but the parish will take mitigation measures.
Against this proposal, the PKP defended reflections on parking concessions and tariffs, while the PAN considered that investment in this area was “not in line with European carbon reduction targets”, demanding “more and better public transport”, as well as better conditions for smooth movement and pedestrians.
MPT, which abstained, warned that the proposal could be a “bait for more cars coming into the city”, suggesting the park would be exclusively for residents and customers of commercial businesses in the area.
Having made the proposal viable by abstention, the PS stressed that it was “not an obstacle” to the management of PSD/CDS, which governs without an absolute majority, while welcoming the increase in parking with 115 new spaces, for a total of 230 in the area.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Tifany Hawkins, a professional journalist with years of experience in news reporting. I currently work for a prominent news website and write articles for 24NewsReporters as an author. My primary focus is on economy-related stories, though I am also experienced in several other areas of journalism.