Andorra la Vella's Espai Capital Project Advances with Working Groups and Fairground Interest

Andorra la Vella's Espai Capital project advances in its preliminary design stage, with three internal working groups shaping key areas, citizen input ongoing, and initial interest from five companies in the fairground concession.

Cònsol Major Sergi González shared the latest during Monday's public meeting at the Centre de Congressos' consòrcia room, attended by around 100 residents. Councillors outlined departmental updates before fielding questions on local issues, including incivisme, Ciutat de Valls maintenance, excessive English signage, and Plaça del Poble shortcomings like insufficient shade and rainwater pooling.

González stressed the initiative serves residents—"for the people of the country"—ahead of tourists, envisioning parish events such as the annual fair and cultural activities like Castellers in the communal area. Cònsol Menor Olalla Losada described it as more than infrastructure, incorporating culture, sports, and local entities, with consultations already underway among groups. Consellera Maria Nazzaro confirmed adaptations to the Casa Pairal for seniors' needs, developed through talks with elderly councils and participatory processes.

The working groups target specific zones across the 10,500 sqm site: one handles the Casa Pairal area and 2,500 sqm of communal land; a second addresses the fairground on 8,000 sqm of private land, collaborating with Andorra Turisme and a consultant from the winning design to draft tender specifications; the third focuses on Passeig del Riu reconfiguration and adjacent public spaces.

González called approaches from five firms "good news," noting they signal early curiosity about the yet-to-be-launched tender, with genuine demand to appear upon its release. A meeting with Cap de Govern Xavier Espot is set for April to settle the Tourism Ministry's funding share.

Incivisme dominated resident feedback. Conseller Xavier Surana announced 200 new surveillance cameras by 2026 in communal zones, parking areas, playgrounds, river paths, and lifts—including panoramic ones at Plaça del Poble and those at Quirola—raising the parish total to nearly 400. Agents cívics, operational since late last year, logged 702 checks in their first quarter, issuing over 70 warnings, 11 fines, and 37 dog-related penalties. Hygiene efforts and more than 100 traffic, noise, and road safety checks this year detected 68 offences, 42 involving mobile phone use.

On Plaça del Poble, González pledged fixes within a month: 18-20 new benches, additional awnings, tree growth for shade, and cleared drainage blocked by cigarette butts. Consellera Eva Tadeo highlighted staff training to boost Catalan usage amid signage complaints. The council also noted ongoing dialogue with riverside restaurant owners over terrace unification rules, following prior consultations and a one-year adjustment period.