The technical assistance for the remodeling of the Cien Tiendas in Logroño has been put out to tender with a budget of 111,300 euros and a six-month execution period.
The final project for the comprehensive renovation of the Cien Tiendas in Logroño will be ready by spring 2026. To achieve this, as explained by Urbanism councilor Íñigo López-Araquistáin on Friday, a technical assistance contract has been tendered with a budget of over 111,300 euros and a six-month drafting period.
The councilor, along with his counterpart from the Central District, Ángel Andrés, presented the terms of this technical assistance, approved by the Local Government Board, outlining an initial plan of «fine surgery» to be carried out in three phases, starting – most likely next year – with Doctor Castroviejo Street.
«The Cien Tiendas project is already underway. We are following the established plan and revitalizing this iconic commercial area of Logroño with rigor and a solid, participatory project, correcting the chaos and irresponsibility of the previous government that cost us European funds and left the area abandoned,» stated López-Araquistáin.
He recalled that «we inherited a legal tangle with five judicial procedures, bringing uncertainty that this government is resolving; works stalled and poorly executed due to a lack of dialogue and complete disconnect from the needs of the citizens; and the consequent refund of European funds, which, after hard work, we managed to reduce from 100% to only 40%.
In contrast, expressing disappointment with the current opposition, «instead of accepting their responsibilities, we would ask for more self-criticism; they are trying to gain political success from a situation resulting from their negligent management,» the local government «is solving the problems and damages left by the previous administration.»
Therefore, the approval of this contracting process is aimed at «recovering one of the most emblematic commercial areas of the city,» with «credibility and trust, a participatory approach, and a commitment to transparency and responsibility in the management of public resources,» as stated by the Urbanism councilor, «the area needs a precise surgical project for urban regeneration.»
THE TERMS.
Even with external technical assistance, «the direction and supervision of this project are entrusted to the same team led by the head of unique projects at the Unit of Architecture and Urban Regeneration, which is already drafted and overseeing the works at Glorieta, and is concluding the project for Beti Jai that will be tendered in the coming weeks.
Additionally, the team must include at least «an architect, a civil engineer, and an industrial engineer specializing in installations, all to ensure a project of the highest quality.» The technical assistance is expected to be awarded during the upcoming summer.
From that point, the drafting team will deliver a preliminary draft within two months, initiating a participatory process with residents and merchants to approve the initial draft; after another two months, the preliminary draft must be finalized, and finally, within the six-month period, the definitive execution project will be completed.
López-Araquistáin detailed that the project, which must be of «maximum urban quality,» should reflect «the renewal of public spaces in the area, from public lighting, urban furniture, signage, gardening, and trees, with a holistic approach from urban, architectural, heritage, functional, landscaping, and environmental perspectives, with criteria for energy efficiency and reduced environmental pollution.»
The project will encompass «pavement, urbanization elements, furniture, all installations, sanitation and rainwater collection networks, potable water supply and irrigation networks, electricity, public lighting, municipal data networks, gas and telephone networks, and cable undergrounding.»
THREE PHASES.
The project will be divided into three sections. The first, Dr. Castro Viejo and Juan XXIII, from the intersection with Dr. Castro Viejo to the Solidarity Unit. The second section, Juan XXIII Street, from its intersection with Dr. Castroviejo to Duquesa de la Victoria and Ciriaco Garrido. And the third section will be Calvo Sotelo Street.
«We hope that the technical assistance will be awarded this summer, and our goal is to have this project ready by next spring, with the first works scheduled to begin in 2026 on Dr. Castroviejo. Additionally, the tender for Beti Jai Street will be launched in the coming weeks,» said the Urbanism councilor.
Specifically, López-Araquistáin justified the use of external assistance due to the workload associated with these unique projects, emphasizing that it will be supervised by the municipal leadership of this Unit.
Regarding the scheduling of the works, he noted that «the works must be coordinated with the ongoing projects,» citing examples such as the construction of a new student residence on Juan XXIII Street or the development of a new residential area on the former Maristas site.
López-Araquistáin emphasized that «we do not want to repeat the mistake of the previous term, starting everything simultaneously, which, apart from the poorly executed final result, caused accessibility, urban quality, and quality of life issues for citizens. Our approach is to proceed in stages, calmly, engaging with residents and in line with the current situation in the area, considering these two projects.
Regarding the final budget, he indicated that «the estimate is that the entire project will cost over 5 million, considering the need to redo everything, the refund of European funds, and all additional costs that will burden the residents of Logroño; hence, we want the works to be carried out calmly, with a well-planned, quality project completed in stages.»
Angel Andrés reiterated the importance of participatory processes, stating «our approach is always to work with residents, listen to their feedback, suggestions, and how they envision their street, contrasting with the previous government that ignored complaints from residents and merchants.»
«This is not a new approach; we always operate this way. We have done it on Lardero Street, Vitoria Street, Sagasta, Duquesa de la Victoria, meeting with residents, listening to them, addressing their suggestions, understanding the type of street they desire. This project will restore the splendor of the Cien Tiendas to its former glory,» concluded Andrés.
