At the morning meeting, a decision was made about the old Ideal cinema site in Alicante
The Valencian Heritage Valuation Board reviewed documents showing that the right of withdrawal cannot be exercised for the purchase of the old building. The board concluded that it would not be possible to use that right in this case.
The facade of the ideal cinema is shown in the accompanying photo, credited to Alex Dominguez.
Several divisions of the Generalitat are involved in the project. The Ministry of Cooperation, Transparency, Cooperation and Democratic Quality supports participatory budgeting that includes the acquisition plan. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport must approve the project. The investment is 5.5 million euros, with funds allocated for rehabilitation and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Model publishing a report to determine the current real estate value. The idea is to purchase the symbolic building for Alicante to transform it into a cultural reference center. However, the final actual purchase faces a valuation review and must align with available funds.
Trinitario Casanova moves ahead of the Consell to acquire the old Ideal cinema in Alicante for hotel development
The Valencia Cultural Heritage Valuation Board emphasized that Generalitat should be guided by the building’s true value, determined by expert technicians. Public funds must not be used for speculative purposes. A commitment to protect public resources is echoed across discussions about the project.
The economic report prepared by the General Directorate of Public Sector and Heritage within the Ministry of Finance and Economy notes that the cinema’s value fluctuates and is estimated between 1.8 and 2.5 million euros. This range informs the approach to negotiation and potential use of the site.
The General Directorate of Culture and Heritage, which has authority over the withdrawal right in the current ownership scenario, has offered a purchase price at least equal to the amount paid by the current owner. Nevertheless, the board concluded that the purchase under these terms is not feasible.
It is important to note that the Valencia Cultural Heritage Assessment Board includes representatives from Consell Valencià de Cultura, Valencian public universities, the San Carlos Academy of Fine Arts, the Archives Advisory Council, and the Ministries of Education, Culture and Sport and of Finance and Economic Model.
reactions
Yesterday, the Concessions Group for Alacant expressed deep regret over the decision to refuse the purchase on legal grounds, noting funding had already been earmarked for the project. The group urged the Generalitat to find a suitable space in the city to reinforce cultural activities and Generalitat presence around the city.
The spokesperson Natxo Bellido of Compro stated that protecting the building is essential and that balancing hotel use with public cultural purposes has proven complex. He indicated that the aim remains to see the space used for cultural projects and public access, aligning with broader cultural sector requests from Compromís per Alacant and Alicante.