Neglected and Deteriorating: The Battle for Andalusia Cinema’s Restoration

The space of Andalusia Cinema, since its recovery in 2018-2019, and subsequent improvement in 2021, “suffers serious abandonment and deterioration.” This is stated by the Regina Magdalena Neighborhood Association (AVRM), the Central District Council and other groups that “we have shown our concern and proposals for improvement, without a response from the City Council.”

The neighbors state that both last year and this year they have asked both the mayor and the mayor of Infrastructure, requesting it at the City Hall’s entry register, for a meeting to present their proposals, demands that, according to them, no answers. “We have not had any response, which means disinterest, non-compliance with legislation and poor ethics and public responsibility,” they lamented.

The neighborhood groups have explained that in recent days they have held a meeting at the old Andalucía Cinema itself in which they have agreed request different improvements from the City Council, “measures that contribute to promoting its use by the population and environmental sustainability,” they maintain. In addition, they have once again requested a meeting with the Infrastructure Mayor with the aim of putting these measures into effect.

Among these measures, the neighbors demand, regarding the vegetation, more trees in the different areas of the enclave; bushes and other vegetation in the gravel area; recover bougainvillea, among other species; and an irrigation network for all that vegetation; as well as coordinating with the Municipal Delegation of Parks and Gardens and the Botanical Garden for special advice when providing the space with a green zone.

Also they demand improvement and shade (textile until vegetation grows) in the children’s play area and ping-pong; reorganize the petanque area, maintaining a court and respecting the possibility of projecting cinema on the party wall; and the substantial improvement of the children’s play area. “They have not consulted us about what seems to be going to be installed in that area,” they say.

Other requests are those of improving the environment of the ping-pong table, “in that place there is a curb that causes danger and the pavement deteriorates”; and the placement in “a suitable place” of another ping-pong table, “as it is the most popular game”; as well as enabling the low wall on San Eloy Street as a longitudinal bench, placing a wooden seat.

The neighbors also demand that the site be provided with “simple orchards with aromatic plantssuch as peppermint, thyme, basil, lavender, parsley…” They state that this location “could be in the long flower bed under the cinema projection area and in the elevated area next to the small pool found”.

Other requests are to fix and enable the semi-enclosed area next to the side of the John XXIII; the location of a bollard or fence to prevent the entry of vehicles, “increasingly frequent”; and rehabilitate the mural on the party wall, “considering its artistic value.” The neighbors also demand the maintenance and continued cleaning of the entire old Andalucía Cinema.

The neighbors have also agreed to request that the City Council schedule activities in the old Andalucía Cinema “within their powers, in accordance with the characteristics of the space.” sport activities (to be carried out on the sports field, the petanque court, the ping-pong table…); cultural and youth events, “such as those related to music and cinema”; and children’s events.

2023-10-08 18:14:36
#neighbors #denounce