"What we are seeking is to make the square greener, because it is a very hard urban space with hardly any trees," Chueca explained. The main works include adding vegetation to the existing pergolas, improving the tree pits and renovating the Goya and Hispanidad fountains. The city’s aim is to provide greater relief from the heat during the warmer months and improve the square’s functionality without giving up its role as a major monumental setting and regular venue for mass celebrations.
The work now has a start date. According to the mayor, the first projects will begin in November, although they will be limited so as not to interfere with the market and the Christmas program. The more intensive work will be carried out after the holidays. In this regard, three contracts have already been awarded for a combined total of 1,047,280.20 euros, while the renovation of the Goya Fountain remains pending a new tender after the initial bidding process received no offers.
MORE VEGETATION AND CHANGES TO THE FOUNTAINS
One of the most visible changes will come with the naturalization of the pergolas located next to Alfonso I Street. The project will make use of the existing structures to add green roofs and hanging plants, creating a vertical garden without the need to build new ones. The contract, awarded to Agua y Jardín for 348,594.15 euros, also includes planting 18 magnolia trees and work on 79 existing tree pits, with new plantings to reduce the visual harshness of the granite and add more vegetation.
The fountains will also undergo significant changes. Aqlara Infraestructuras will carry out, for 443,483.74 euros, the renovation of the Patagonia basin at the Hispanidad Fountain. It will retain the outline of the map of South America, but will include dynamic jets and lighting effects integrated into the ground, turning the space into a fountain that people can walk through. Antique Restauración de Arte, meanwhile, will be responsible for renovating the lighting towers and the pergola of the bronze and steel gallery for 255,202.31 euros.
The project facing the greatest uncertainty remains the Goya Fountain, whose work will have to go back out to tender. The city’s proposal calls for reducing the surface area of the water basins and lowering some architectural elements to create more pedestrian space and facilitate the staging of major events.
