suitable environment and the MACA storage expansion
MACA faced a new challenge when Alicante’s museum received nearly 300 artifacts from the Jenkins-Romero collection. The institution already houses more than 1,700 works, and while expansion plans move forward, a warehouse in Valencia was rented to receive and store the pieces as spaces and warehouses were reorganized to accommodate the new acquisitions.
Almost a year passed before Culture requested a one year extension of the lease. The renewal required approval from the Local Board on a Tuesday morning. The warehouse rental began on March 1, 2022, and the expiration date approached. On December 22, Kültür requested renewal of the 350 square meter facility for the next year. The service from the company meets MACA storage needs because of the facility conditions, temperature and humidity control, ample space, and the firm’s ongoing presence. There are no comparable facilities in Alicante, which makes this arrangement especially practical for MACA.
The monthly rent stands at 847 euros, VAT included, and will continue into the new year. The renewal contract includes automatic extensions for consecutive one year terms, with a maximum of five extensions. This setup ensures continuity while the expansion project moves toward completion, a project designed by architects Sol Madridejos and Juan Carlos Sancho, the same team that shaped the current museum. Antonio Manresa, the Councilor for Culture, notes that the expansion timeline will require ongoing growth during the interim period.
suitable environment and direct leasing considerations
The reports in the dossier indicate that this is the only viable direct rental option. Culture cites section 124 of the Law on Public Administration Assets No. 33/2003, dated November 3, and highlights the property characteristics as the justification for the direct lease, arguing that the space meets a special suitability need for storage. The documentation, dated April 10 and tied to the Heritage of the Community of Valencia, also references Article 49 of Law No. 14/2003. Part 2 of this article allows exemption from competitive bidding and direct contracting when conditions are met, which supports the current lease as appropriate for MACA storage requirements. How this decision aligns with regulatory expectations and practical needs remains under review as the project progresses.
The ongoing process reflects a careful balance between preserving cultural assets and managing real estate to safeguard the collection while ensuring continued public access. Museum staff and municipal authorities stress that the storage environment must meet precise standards to keep the artifacts in optimal condition. As the expansion project advances, the priority remains stable storage and careful stewardship of the collection, which now includes significant new acquisitions. The collaborative effort among the museum, local government, and the architectural team underpins a plan to enhance facilities without disrupting daily operations or public responsibilities.