Public auction approved for sale of land for FC Porto’s academy in Maia

The Maia Chamber this Monday approved the sale by public auction at a base price of 3.36 ME of the land for the FC Porto academy, with the Socialists accusing the municipality of building a “tailored suit”.

The decision, which must now be ratified by the Municipal Assembly scheduled for March 25, moves the end of the proposal submission period to a week before the FC Porto elections scheduled for April 27.

We are talking about the sale of 18 plots integrated in the Maia Metropolitan Park project, with a total area of ​​140,625 square meters (m2).

The proposal, signed by municipal president António Silva Thiago (PSD/SDS-PP coalition), was approved by a majority of votes, with the Socialist Party (PS) voting against, which opposed the cost of 23.89 euros per person. square meter determined during assessment.

“This is a custom-made suit. (…) It is obvious that the land will only be sold at the base price. No one else wants this area, we offer the property for sale at 23 euros per square meter. There are no properties available at this price. Maya cannot be put up for sale or give the impression that she is for sale,” said socialist Francisco Vieira de Carvalho.

During the meeting of the municipal executive this Monday, the PS also questioned the subtleties of the deal, emphasizing that at the moment the only thing that can be said for sure is that the one who will use the space will be FC Porto SAD.

“Because if someone buys the land and someone leases it to FC Porto for a certain price, obviously we are looking at business here from China,” he said, pointing to ABB as the future owner of the land . discussed.

In response, the president of the municipality, Silva Thiago, stressed that the valuation confirming the basic value of the auction was carried out by experts and appraisers external to the municipality and represents a “fair value” and has a technical basis comparable to the purchase price. another land – Quinta do Mosteiro – was approved this Monday at an executive meeting.

The mayor also adds that the cost being considered would have been lower if it had been based on the municipality’s master plan after its review.

“The public auction is for the highest bidder, not Mr. A or Mr. B. It is conducted cleanly and crystal clear. There is no business here (…). The public auction is conducted based on performance criteria. “Whoever buys must do what is provided for in the executive block. Everything is very strict, transparent and impartial,” he said.

The mayor also said that in 2003, the chamber purchased for €8.1 million 72 hectares of land that covered the 14 hectares referred to in this proposal, and now the base price of these 14 hectares is €3.36 million.

“Do the math,” he urged.

However, in response to the Socialists, territorial planning adviser Mário Neves made it clear that whoever comes will have to carry out what is programmed in the executive unit, blaming the ongoing electoral process at FC Porto for the noise surrounding the sale of the land.

“What stops this process is the electoral law of FC Porto. We don’t care whether it’s President A or B, we’re interested in the institution. When there is a public auction, we don’t even know if it is FC Porto, a partner, a neighbor or a cousin of FC Porto to be acquired. When it is launched, whoever comes with the assurance that they will have to abide by what is approved. (…) Be it FC Porto, Benfica, Al Hilal, I am even from Benfica, like the president,” he said.

According to the sports newspaper O Jogo, FC Porto, through a partner who will play a strategic role in the construction of future facilities, has already acquired 10 of the 21 hectares of land for the club’s academy in Maia, one of the promises of Pinto’s election program. Yes Costa.

Property of the municipality, the remaining 11 hectares must be acquired by public auction, which has not yet been ratified by the Municipal Assembly and not published in the Diário da República.

The Maia Academy project includes a stadium with a capacity of 2,500 spectators, nine grass fields (four of which have stands with 400 seats each), and a seven-player football field, as well as other infrastructure designed to improve sports training and practice in club.

The main building will consist of a technical sports area and the so-called Casa do Dragão, a residential area dedicated to athletes hosted by FC Porto, where there will be almost 70 double rooms, study and relaxation areas or a restaurant area.