Benidorm approves the renovation project for the 'Andrea' columns on Paseo de Levante for 665,784 euros.

The project is part of the 'Verde Benidorm' Sustainable Tourism Plan and will allow the renovation of this ornamental lighting from the 1990s and improve energy efficiency.

The mayor emphasises that "in a very short time, we will almost completely renovate one of the most emblematic and recognizable spaces in our urban fabric."

The Local Government Board of Benidorm City Council approved this Monday the project for the "Rehabilitation of the ornamental lighting of the Andrea columns on the Paseo de Levante," as part of Action 5 of the 2023 Sustainable Tourism Destination Plan, known as "Verde Benidorm," with a budget of €665,784.41, VAT included. This was communicated by the city's mayor, Toni Pérez, who noted that, in this way, "we continue to advance in the development of projects that will allow us not only to renew, improve, and modernize the image of one of the busiest spots in our city, such as this promenade, but also to reduce consumption and improve energy efficiency."

The project, drafted by Gener Proyectos De Ingeniería SL and submitted to the City Council on May 8, proposes the restoration of the structures that support the inner cylinder that makes up the "Andrea" luminaire, which date back to the 1990s, as well as the replacement of the luminaire and the interior projectors that illuminate it. In addition to equipping them with a new electrical and control system for supply and intelligent management, explained the Councilor for Public Space, Francis Muñoz.

The total number of "Andreas" currently existing is 22 units, of which 18 are distributed mainly along Paseo de Levante and the remaining four are located in the central axis of the final section of Avenida de Europa, between Avenida del Mediterráneo and the Paseo. The project proposes the permanent removal of the four units from Avenida Europa, "in order to create an area free of elements in the final section of this road." 

In terms of lighting, the draft project includes replacing the internal diffuser of the columns and installing new RGB LED spotlights for internal lighting, which can be connected to the existing centralized control system on Paseo de Levante. This reduces the installed power by approximately 40%, bringing the installation in line with current energy efficiency requirements.

The councilor also explained that the various components that make up the structure of the "Andrea" "are currently in an advanced state of oxidation," and therefore "the dismantling of all the columns is planned for their complete restoration, as well as the cleaning of their components, such as the anchor bolts, for their reinstallation once they have been restored and treated to the necessary characteristics to withstand the marine environment." To restore these structures, mechanical abrasive means will be used to remove all parts with rust, laminations, and other defects caused by the presence of moisture. After all this, the entire structure will be provided with a protective layer until a protection level of C5-I is achieved according to the UNE-EN ISO 12944-2:2018 standard, "in order to guarantee a life expectancy of more than 15 years in areas subject to high humidity and/or aggressive conditions," added Muñoz.

Finally, the project also includes the renewal of the existing pipeline cabling, using a vacuum cleaning system or equivalent to reuse the sections for the new cabling to be installed. In addition, a new fiber optic circuit and control nodes will be installed for the intelligent management of the lighting scenes generated by the "Andreas," allowing the lighting color to be changed, just as is the case with the overhead lines on this same promenade. 

The Councilor for Public Space explained that the next step will be to "request the relevant authorizations from the Provincial Coastal Service to carry out the works," as well as to initiate the bidding process. The project will be completed within eight months from the signing of the staking out certificate. 

For his part, Mayor Toni Pérez insisted that "this government's work on the streets to improve our city is constant and unremitting, as demonstrated by the number of projects we have underway in virtually every neighbourhood." In the specific case of Levante, the mayor noted that this project to rehabilitate the 'Andrea' columns "complements the project we have already carried out to renew the lighting and ornamental catenary of Paseo de Levante from Torrejó to Avenida de Europa, with an investment of €1,972,119.41, financed entirely with municipal resources, and the project we recently awarded to Elecnor to renovate the second phase, between Avenida de Europa and Calle Metge Miguel Martorell, with a budget of €854,885.07." 

Thus, Toni Pérez stated that "in a very short time, we will almost completely renovate one of the most emblematic and recognizable spaces in our urban fabric, because contrary to what others would have us believe, Benidorm concerns us and occupies us, every day and at all hours."

Finally, the mayor lamented that, "as has already happened with many other infrastructure projects, this project should be financed and executed by the State, but what we have found is yet another failure to fulfill its responsibility in what is probably the only municipality in Spain with a seafront promenade where the Ministry fails to fulfill its authority and responsibility." Therefore, he expressed his confidence that, "at the very least, the authorizations for the project will be processed diligently and not delayed. That is all we are currently aspiring to." 

About 'Verde Benidorm'
The Sustainable Tourism Destination Plan 'Verde Benidorm 2024-2026' has 5,500,000 euros in funding from the European Union's Next Generation funds, which will be used to carry out 16 actions to achieve a more sustainable and digital Benidorm, which advances in energy efficiency and combats climate change and which continues to invest in protecting the territory.

Thus, with this PSTD, the Benidorm City Council carries out the certification and recognition of the destination's sustainability, within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, financed with funds from the European Union - Next Generation EU, including the Territorial Sustainability Plan of the Valencian Community and coordinated by Turisme Comunitat Valenciana.