The stalled image of neglect surrounding the land beside the Martínez Valero stadium, once expected to host a bustling mall, continues to spark complaints from fans and the club alike. The site’s status casts a shadow over the club’s activities and the broader community, generating ongoing concern about what that space should become.
At a recent City Council session, the council leader and the sports council member voiced their unease. They met with the new executive board of the Penas Federation, led by David Aranda, to discuss ways to move forward. Their goal is to maintain momentum, or at least to reconfigure the area so that it serves as a proper gateway to the Martínez Valero complex.
Frangiverde, under pressure from municipal authorities, has aimed to persuade the landowners to continue development or, at minimum, to improve access to what would be a primary entry point for the stadium. The talks emphasize keeping the project alive, while acknowledging the substantial financial hurdles involved.
During a late-March meeting, the largest shareholder of Elche CF, Christian Bragnik, along with president Joaquin Buitrago, pressed the landowners on the possibility of reacquiring the land. The proposed price hovered around 20 million euros, which the club and its allies find well outside reach for the present green-and-white project. The adjacent land sale involved the merchant Sumdur Ticaret and two companies, Astandoa Shipyards and Lonimare, linked to the Hispabowling group.
The planned development includes a four-story complex with space for parking on two floors, a bowling alley, and a restaurant area. More challenging is the construction work itself: two roundabouts and the widening of Martínez Valero and José Esquitino streets. Each of these elements demands a heavy financial outlay, complicating the timeline for completion.
Work on the site has been halted for two years. The lone tangible feature remains a metal fence that guards the land to prevent accidents, with a visible trench where earthmovers once dug. After a month of progress, activity has ground to a halt once more.
Initially, officials suggested that a building permit from the City Council was missing. City representatives countered that the permit has been in order for more than a year, processed efficiently, and that they stand ready to assist the developer in expediting the project launch. Municipal sources also confirm that landowners have been advised to continue the work where possible.
Both Elche CF and the City Council acknowledge that this standstill cannot extend into another season. Beyond the risk to the club’s image, there is also a practical concern: rival teams and their fans visiting the Martínez Valero stadium could be affected by poor access and unsafe surroundings when vehicles are forced to navigate blocked routes. The broader city image is at stake as well, considering the visibility of the area on television and by visiting media crews.
Heaps of earth, flooded potholes, and the appearance of mud and neglect surface after rain, affecting roughly 20,000 people who gather in the area every other week, amplifying the sense of abandonment on the site. Elche CF and the City Council are pressuring the owners to find a prompt solution, while insisting that neither party bears sole responsibility for the delays.
Bus and bicycle parking have emerged as additional matters of concern. The Fan Clubs Federation has requested expanded bus routes and the initiation of bike parking. Municipal authorities promised to implement these improvements, but stressed the importance of clarity about street access on match days and post-event traffic management, as Martínez Valero departures can leave certain routes blocked. The city promises to address the parking and access issues temporarily while seeking a longer-term resolution that suits the needs of fans and residents alike.
Officials emphasize that this is a citywide project with multiple interests at stake. In the near term, authorities intend to fulfill fan-club demands and explore better long-term site options as the project progresses. The shared aim for all sides is to inaugurate a viable solution for the start of the next season, though everyone concedes that achieving this will require careful planning, consistent pressure on the development party, and a sustainable funding path to begin work as soon as possible.