Wednesday, October 18, 2017 - 08:59 by ce-press
Having strongly developed the waterfront to the east of the city of Santander, work is now being concentrated on bringing the west up to the same standard.
Jaime Gonzalez Lopez, president Port of Santander, told CE in September: “The last step was the opening and beginning of the Centro Botin [on June 28] including the integration of the Pereda gardens and some open area exhibitions etc. Now there is a whole integration of the port authority and town area behind the terminal [7,600m2] which makes it more available for the urban situation”
The €1.6m expansion of the outside spaces including gardens and walking areas as well as providing extra benches and lighting will be done by the Town Hall next year, whilst inside the terminal (designed by Ricardo Lorenzo and a protected building) the port authority is investing €1.2m to make the central hall larger whilst opening up a direct view to the sea/bay which was not possible before.
Some services, for example the police offices, will be relocated to the side. The cafe/restaurant will be renovated to a higher quality and the top terrace will be opened. In writing this new chapter of the Santander waterfront development, Lopez commented: “It will make the maritime station more accessible, not only for passengers but for locals and visitors. It will take one year and be finished by June next year.” A music and art programme is being worked into the building which means there will be exhibitions and concerts in the terminal, for example Las Minas Flamenco on tour.
The maritime station, being in the middle of the city and close to Centro Botin, makes
it “a big opportunity for the town hall and the port authority to create and keep medium- to long-term art and music programmes, particularly out of season”. There will be opportunities, in coordination with the agents, for special events to be put together for the passengers on cruiseship days. Lopez commented: “Cost and quality in Santander is very good.”
Simultaneously to the terminal refurbishment, will be the relocation of the car park closer to the terminal where the lorries now park. The latter will be moved further away.
There are 11 calls and 12,500 passengers this year compared to six and 2,400 in 2016.
