The Galea Vetus Neighborhood Association has publicly expressed its discontent with a budget modification proposed by the Cordoba City Council. According to the association, this measure would eliminate the financial allocation for the rehabilitation of the building located at Plaza de San Agustín nº 5 to, instead, fund the repair of the municipal stadium El Arcángel's facade. Galea Vetus describes this decision as a sign of "a profoundly misguided policy of priorities," arguing that investment is being withdrawn from the Historic Center to "beautify" sports facilities.
The neighborhood organization deems it unacceptable that a committed project for the recovery of an emblematic building in the San Agustín neighborhood disappears from the municipal budget, while resources are allocated to an action perceived as merely for image purposes at the sports facilities. "We cannot talk about heritage protection while simultaneously emptying historical neighborhoods of investment. San Agustín is once again relegated," stated Pilar García, president of the neighborhood association.
The building at Plaza de San Agustín nº 5 has been awaiting intervention for approximately 20 years to allow for its recovery and integration into the area's revitalization. After being acquired through expropriation by the City Council during the term of the then-mayor Andrés Ocaña, its rehabilitation had been presented as a strategic action to improve the square, boost neighborhood activity, and preserve the urban heritage of the Historic Center.
However, the budget modification planned by the City Council leaves this action without funding and a defined execution timeline. "The message is very clear: for the municipal government, the Historic Center is secondary when other political priorities arise," stated Galea Vetus, under the slogan "Money for the stadium, abandonment for heritage."
The association emphasizes that it does not question the maintenance of municipal sports facilities but does object to them being financed "at the expense of sacrificing essential projects for the historic neighborhoods." "While investments are announced for the facade of El Arcángel, the residents of San Agustín continue to see necessary actions to preserve and dignify their urban environment postponed time and again," they lament.
Galea Vetus reminds that the Historic Center cannot continue to be treated as "a tourist backdrop without real investment for those who live there," and points to the growing problems in finding housing due to "massive touristification." The association considers it particularly serious that the decision is made "secretly and maliciously, without dialogue with the residents and without offering alternative funding for the building's rehabilitation."
Therefore, the Galea Vetus Neighborhood Association demands that the City Council withdraw the budget modification that eliminates the allocation for Plaza de San Agustín nº 5, as well as maintain the full funding intended for the building's rehabilitation. They also request the immediate presentation of a work execution schedule and a clear political commitment to the recovery of the Historic Center and the traditional neighborhoods of Cordoba.
The association has issued a public call for a protest gathering in front of the building at Plaza de San Agustín nº 5 next Wednesday, June 17, at 9:00 PM. They are calling on residents, heritage groups, and political parties to demand transparency and a shift in municipal policy priorities. "Cordoba cannot afford to continue losing heritage while resources are diverted to media-impact actions. San Agustín deserves investment, respect, and a future," they conclude.
