The 2010 agreement between Porto City Council and the Invesurb fund covering the land of the former Bairro do Aleixo is set to undergo a seventh amendment-despite the project still not having moved beyond paperwork.
On the plots where residential towers and EDP facilities once stood (both since demolished), the plan remains the construction of 10 buildings for housing, retail and services. However, delays in the urban planning procedures have led to repeated postponements.
Against this background, a proposal from the Executive will go before the Porto City Council meeting on Tuesday to extend, once again, the contract with the Invesurb property fund (created to invest in the Aleixo land) for a further six months. The proposal also extends the deadline for the fund to pay the local authority the final tranche, worth €2.7 million.
It should be recalled that, under the fourth addendum, it was "established that the Municipality gives up the planned construction works for Eirinhas and the Bairro do Leal, in return for financial compensation, amounting to €6.9 million, to be paid in three instalments, with the first two in the amount of €2.1 million and the last in the amount of €2.7 million".
The Municipal Master Plan must be respected
In the proposal to be presented on Tuesday, it is explained that "fulfilling the obligation to carry out the subdivision (loteamento) works on the Bairro do Aleixo land has proved a more labour-intensive and complex task than was anticipated when the fourth change to the contract was signed, which led to the signing of the fifth and sixth addenda".
It further states that "in view of the technical work still outstanding and the necessary formalities, it is considered that a six-month period appears proportionate and suitable for the works and procedures to be completed".
The Executive argues that the extension "aims to help ensure the contract can reach an end point as soon as possible, through completion of the promised exchange [giving up construction in Eirinhas and in the Bairro do Leral, in return for money], thereby delivering the underlying public interests". It also notes that, "at the same time, the intention is to implement the fundamental political options set out in the Municipal Master Plan (PDM) in the most considered way possible".
It could be extended by a further 12 months
Beyond the initial six months, the contract could still be lengthened by twice that period: "Within this framework, the parties wish to extend the contract for a period of six months, with the possibility of, with explicit justification, being extended for an equal period if necessary". After discussion and a vote at the council meeting, the proposal will be sent to the Municipal Assembly.
To justify the overall slowness of the process, the proposal highlights that this is a "large-scale area" in the União de Freguesias of Lordelo do Ouro e Massarelos, bounded by Rua do Ouro, Rua do Aleixo, Rua da Arrábida and Rua da Mocidade da Arrábida. It also points out that the "subdivision operation must be coordinated with the surrounding urban fabric" and that "the Municipality and the various stakeholders involved have been working together to find appropriate solutions aimed at the area’s urban regeneration, aware of the importance its revitalisation has for the whole city".
Tallest building will have 15 floors
Under the Bairro do Aleixo subdivision project, the tallest building will no longer have 21 floors, as had been outlined by the previous administration. "Following the extension of the sixth modification to the contract, it was decided to introduce a change, consisting of transferring to plot 8 part of the building capacity planned for plot 5, which resulted in a reduction in the maximum number of floors planned for plot 5 from 21 to 15, and the provision of a new building on plot 8", the proposal due at the next council meeting states.
The area covered by the licensing of the subdivision operation corresponds to a plot of 66,553.61 m². The Aleixo project includes the construction of new streets and pedestrian links. An urban park will also be created.
The Municipal Assembly "is responsible for monitoring and overseeing the activity of the City Council, as well as giving opinions and taking decisions on all matters that seek to pursue the municipality’s responsibilities", including the Bairro do Aleixo contract.
According to the proposal approved by the Executive on 13 May, the subdivision operation for the land of the former Bairro do Aleixo will be submitted to public consultation.
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