The Málaga City Council takes another step towards the construction of the Music Auditorium, situated on port land at the San Andrés esplanade. The Board of Directors of Promálaga has given the green light to the final administrative procedure, allowing the project to be put out to tender. Mayor Francisco de la Torre announced last week that everything was ready to seek a construction company.
The tender documents detail key requirements to ensure the final quality of the work, particularly concerning the acoustics of the halls. These demands arise following criticism from institutions such as the Manuel Carra Conservatory and the Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra. Acoustic measurements will be taken upon completion, and if promised standards are not met, the construction will be deemed deficient.
The awarded company must provide a performance bond and take out specific insurance policies, including one for civil liability of at least 10 million euros and the mandatory ten-year insurance to cover potential building defects for a decade after handover. Furthermore, the contractor will be liable for the work for at least two years post-delivery.
The total budget for the project amounts to 202.6 million euros (VAT included). Of this sum, approximately 140.7 million euros are allocated to the physical construction, with the remainder covering general expenses, the contractor's profit margin, and VAT. Payment to the construction company will be made monthly based on certified work, not exceeding the established maximum budget.
The expenditure will be distributed annually: around 45 million in 2027, 55 million in 2028, 44 million in 2029, 51 million in 2030, and 5.8 million to conclude in 2031, subject to annual budget approval by the City Council.
The tender documents also anticipate potential technical adjustments due to the complexity of the land reclaimed from the sea, such as different foundation systems or excavation machinery, with a cost increase limit of 5%.
Nine consulted construction firms recommended a single contract and one responsible company to guarantee acoustic quality, leading Promálaga to adopt this approach. The selection of the contractor will consider experience, work plan, sustainability, and price (accounting for 26% of the final score). Companies must prove experience in similar projects and have a minimum annual turnover of 66 million euros.
The socialist opposition, through its spokesperson Mariano Ruiz Araujo and councilwoman Lorena Doña, has criticized the approval, alleging the concealment of an intervention report questioning the concession procedure and an urban planning report that doubts the projected profitability, particularly concerning the future facility's parking and restaurant.
The PSOE points out that the project's economic report admits initial losses and the need for annual municipal funding. They are calling for transparency regarding the actual maintenance costs of the facility.
