The municipal group VOX in the Almería City Council has presented a motion with initiatives to achieve the reactivation and social revitalization of the center and promotion of local commerce.
According to the VOX spokesperson in the City Council, Juan Francisco Rojas, the commercial "desert" of the center and the historic center of our city is a reality. "The center of Almería is one more example of the depopulation, the lack of activity and the image of commercial desolation that most of the medium-sized cities in our country are suffering, and ours in particular." That generality or problem common to the rest of the populations, "It does not minimize the importance of the situation or it has to mean a relaxation in the taking of measures and decisions in this regard," says Rojas.
According to VOX, we are witnessing the implementation of policies or actions from the government team aimed at alleviating this problem. "We are not going to be the ones to criticize these measures a priori, but it is true that at first glance they seem insufficient", explains the VOX spokesman in the Almería City Council, Juan Francisco Rojas. “It is not only about attracting people to take photos, but the policies have to be aimed at avoiding the depopulation of the center; reverse the curve of descent in the habits of residence of our neighbors, towards the periphery ”.
VOX requests that the Almería City Council launch a Comprehensive Plan for the Social Dynamization of the Center and the Promotion of Retail Trade that, with ambition and criteria, agree on the demands of groups in the sector, professional associations, representatives of affected public and private institutions and consumers, with these considerations:
– Study of the feasibility regarding flexibilization of business hours for the implantation, even, of shops 24 hours.
– Commitment and promotion of cultural, sports and leisure activities in the downtown area, when obviously the health crisis situation allows it, making use of environments such as the Alcazaba and the bullring, among others.
– Search for agreements and signing of agreements with the Central Government, the Junta de Andalucía, the Port Authority and the University of Almería, to attract future faculties or public administrative buildings, to the center of the city, by making available unused properties.
– Conducting market research that provide guidance on the physiognomy and characteristics of the shops to be installed and their viability (typical shops, traditional gastronomy … etc.)
– Rethink the true viability and interest in the Port-city project; as well as possible temporary solutions, less expensive and more efficient, to connect the Center with the Port and the sea in the short term, and to be able to make common use of those spaces.
– Improvement and expansion of rental assistance programs for both housing, as in commercial premises, as well as municipal tax credits for owners who rent their properties.
