Anyone who regularly visits the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África in Santa Cruz will see the area surrounding this well-known market hall change considerably over the coming years. The city council has given the final green light for the redevelopment of the streets around the market building, which is better known to many residents as La Recova. With an investment of more than €3.1 million, the municipality aims to create more space for pedestrians, improve accessibility and make the area more attractive to visitors and traders.
Single-level street layout
One of the most important changes is the creation of a single-level street layout. Traditional kerbs and differences in height will be removed, allowing pedestrians to move around the area more easily. This is particularly good news for older visitors, wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility. The existing staircase at the rear of La Recova will be demolished and replaced by a wide, accessible ramp integrated into a green area.
The work will be divided into two consecutive phases, each lasting nine months. During the first phase, the main focus will be on Darías y Padrón and Bethencourt y Molina streets. The main access ramp and the terrace area are also included in this part of the project. The city council has promised that deliveries to the market will remain possible and that residents will continue to have access to their homes.
Pedestrian square
During the second phase, attention will shift to Avenida José Manuel Guimerá. The central pedestrian walkway, side lanes, permanent kiosks and parking areas will all be redesigned. At certain times, the two phases will partially overlap. According to the municipality, this will allow heavy machinery to be used more efficiently and prevent the overall construction period from becoming unnecessarily long.
Traffic around the market will also change. Regular vehicle access will be removed at the junction of Darías y Padrón and Bethencourt y Molina. The space that becomes available will be transformed into a large pedestrian square where cultural and social activities may also be held in the future. As a result, La Recova will gain not only improved access but also a new meeting place in the centre of Santa Cruz.
Greener and safer
The design also focuses on maintaining clear and open spaces. The walking routes and rest areas must remain sufficiently open so that visitors feel safe and comfortable. This may be particularly important on busy market days, when large numbers of residents, tourists, suppliers and shoppers are present in the area at the same time.
Extensive improvements will also be carried out underground. The project includes new sewerage, drainage systems, utility pipes and inspection chambers. New streetlights will also be installed, together with four sets of fixed security bollards at the entrances to the pedestrian zone. These are intended to prevent vehicles from entering the square without authorisation.
For visitors, the redevelopment will ultimately provide a more comfortable and clearly organised route to one of Tenerife’s best-known markets. Some disruption will inevitably occur during the work, but the plan has been designed to allow the market’s daily activities to continue as much as possible. Once both phases have been completed, the area should be greener, safer and much more pedestrian-friendly.
Photo: AIChatGPT
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