The mayor of Vila-real, José Benlloch, has overseen the demolition works on the land of the former Dolores García Foundation. These plots were acquired by Villarreal CF in 2023, coinciding with the club's centenary, with the aim of ceding them to the Generalitat Valenciana for the creation of a future socio-health island.
Currently, Villarreal CF is carrying out the demolition and conditioning works on the plots, in coordination with the mayor's office. Once these tasks are completed, the City Council will accept the donation of the surface to incorporate it into municipal heritage. Provisionally, the space will be used for public parking, offering 150 spaces in a strategic and very busy area of the city, specifically at the intersection of Ermita Street and Cordón Street, pending the promotion of outstanding social projects.
This area is characterized by a high concentration of services and facilities, such as a health center, the Post Office, educational centers, supermarkets, and the La Cerámica stadium. This situation had generated a growing demand for parking from residents. With this intervention, the City Council responds to a historical citizen demand. The parking will be public and will serve as a temporary solution while waiting for the Generalitat Valenciana to unblock the future of the plot, a 7,500 square meter parcel initially intended to house a socio-health complex, whose creation is an autonomous competence.
“"We could not let more time pass without providing a useful alternative for this space."
In this context, Benlloch has expressed his displeasure at the paralysis of the Convivint Plan by the current Consell, following the change of Autonomous Government. This project, promoted by the previous Botànic, envisaged the construction of a residence for people with intellectual disabilities, an occupational center, a space for activities of the Ateneu association –aimed at people with acquired brain injury– and modules for students of the special education school La Panderola.
The mayor has criticized the silence of the Autonomous Government, both during Carlos Mazón's tenure and the current one, and has emphasized the need to offer a provisional solution. Thus, until a definitive solution arrives from the Generalitat, the plot will be made available to the neighborhood as public parking. The top municipal official also highlighted that this action will not only improve mobility and facilitate parking, but will also contribute to improving the health and image of the environment, preventing the degradation of a space that had been unused for some time.
