European University remains interested in settling in Alicante, even if not through Fundesem
In Alicante, the city’s leadership signaled that it will not stand by as a passive observer in the ongoing dispute between Fundesem and Ivace, the regional development agency. The matter involves a contract and a lease payout of 1.65 million euros tied to the building located on Calle Deportistas Hermanos Torres, where the current mayor situates his residence. The new line from Alicante’s top official is clear: the land belongs to the municipality, and the agreement district around the center is set to expire in the near future. The council maintains a path toward reversing the arrangement if needed, underscoring that the city holds the right to reframe the future of the property.
Officials have been weighing options that could include transferring ownership of the site to the Alicante Chamber of Commerce or proposing another operator to host the business school. The mayor stressed that the future of the education complex must align with the city’s long-term planning, noting that the center’s destiny inevitably passes through the City Council’s hands. He urged stakeholders to see beyond current disputes and consider how the building and its surroundings could best serve the community moving forward.
The mayor asserted a need for transparency about the impending expiry of the contract, which is anticipated by year’s end. He also suggested a potential reimagining of the building as a municipal town hall, in line with the framework outlined in the 1992 three-way agreement among Fundesem, the council, and the former Impiva body. That arrangement positioned the council as the landowner and placed expectations on the parties to manage the site for the public good. The mayor emphasized that common sense should guide any decision, aiming to dispel uncertainty surrounding the education complex’s future and to earn the public trust. He stated that the city would welcome a sensible resolution that respects all parties involved.
He added that there are only a few months left before the land-transfer provision tied to the building’s construction lapses, after which the lease terms would need to be reevaluated. In his view, a timely decision is essential to avoid a disruption that could affect the community’s access to educational opportunities and municipal services tied to the site.
Facing Fundesem’s financial challenges, the administration has seen the center seek stability through collaboration with external partners. One pathway involved an agreement with the European University to sub-lease portions of the building and to offer four health-related degree programs at the facilities. This arrangement promised an annual income of around 400,000 euros for the business school, helping to stabilize operations amid broader economic pressures. The situation prompted a broader discussion about the structure of the lease and who ultimately bears responsibility for ensuring the building’s viability.
On the governance side, Ivace, the autonomous development body, approved the project to modify the assignment contract but later paused at the request of the landowner, the City Council, and the Generalitat. The decision from Ivace was not to proceed with a long-term lease under the previous terms, and it even considered terminating the current lease and seeking debt settlement for any arrears arising from non-payment of rent. Fundesem’s leadership is examining alternative routes, including potential immediate financial injections or moving toward a competitive process to determine the center’s future tenants. The Ministry of Economy is also weighing possible outcomes for the building, exploring whether the Alicante Chamber of Commerce could take occupancy while preserving space dedicated to a business school. Throughout this debate, Minister Rafa Climent has repeatedly affirmed that Alicante needs a business school, a principle that guides the ongoing discussions. The consensus is that any occupying party should reserve room for this essential educational mission. The mayor has made his position unmistakable: any final decision must secure his approval as part of the process.
records indicate that the administration remains committed to a transparent, community-focused resolution that preserves educational opportunities and municipal assets while seeking a path that minimizes disruption for students and local businesses. The dialogue continues as all stakeholders evaluate practical options and the best use of the property for Alicante’s future.