PSOE get into gear over Javea car parks

On October 14th 2010, under the heading, ‘Car Park Fiasco’ we reported that Javea Town Hall had rejected a claim for €22 million from car park contractor Ecisa, as compensation for an alleged breach of leasing contract. After debating the issue and acting on advice from top legal consultants, the unanimous all-party decision was to reject the claim.

“Not a cent more,” was their final decision.

Less than three weeks later, Mayor Monfort announced he intended to buy back the ‘White Elephant’ car parks from Ecisa for €13.3 million, totally ignoring the previous decision.

But knowing that any attempts to raise large amounts of money under Central Governments new 2011 financial restrictions would be extremely difficult, the matter was left in abeyance, which according to PSOE opposition leader Jose Chulvi, was a huge mistake.

He accused government of secretly negotiating a ‘Rescue Package’ with Ecisa that would not only award them the full asking price, but also throw in eight building plots as an investment bonus.

This he said came to light last week when the Mayor called an extraordinary plenary session at the unusual hour of 1pm in an attempt to obtain permission to auction off some building plots.

According to Chulvi, he understood the bank had finally agreed to advance a maximum of €12 million on the car parks purchase plan leaving a deficit of €1.3 million on the agreed price.

Mayor Monfort then decided to raise the extra amount by auctioning off eight municipally owned building plots in El Rafalet, which Snr. Chulvi says is contrary to official procedures and totally underhanded.

To emphasise the questionable aspect of this scheme, Jose Chulvi states that at the beginning of this year, the plots were offered for auction at a value of €1.3 million. No bids were recorded until recently, when at the end of the final day of the bidding period, a bid “Miraculously appeared” offering €200 over the asking price.”

This successful late bidder was later identified as car parks owners Ecisa, who had adjusted their company statutes to include property investment alongside car park management. “It is a win, win situation for Ecisa,” said Chulvi, “Not only will they receive €12,100,000 in cash, but also eight valuable building plots into the bargain.”

The PSOE have now presented their case to the Territorial Planning Service and the Court for Contentious Administrative Proceedings in Alicante and requested that the buyout of the car parks is halted until all outstanding issues have been resolved. No comment has been received by the ruling BLOC party.

By Benny Davis


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