Underground Garage and Square in Portopetro: Solution for the Parking Chaos — or a Construction Problem?

Underground garage and square in Portopetro: solution for the parking chaos — or a new problem?

If you walk along Portopetro's promenade in the late afternoon, the smells of roasting food and the sea mix with the constant beeping of heavy machines: concrete mixers, sharp hammering, the whisper of tarpaulins in the wind. The municipality of Santanyí has started work that — it is hoped — will allow 20 cars to park underground and create a public square above with benches, play equipment and greenery. The key question is clear: will the underground garage really provide relief for locals and businesses, or will noise, costs and displacement spoil the benefits?

Why construction is happening in the middle of the season — and what that means

Many residents are surprised that heavy machinery is rolling in right now, when the streets are full and the cafés buzz late into the evening. The administration points to tight deadlines: the project must be approved by the end of 2025, and bureaucratic schedules left no room for a winter break. That may sound pragmatic, but the decision has consequences: delivery traffic shifts, visitors and regular drivers spend more time searching for spaces, and a restaurant terrace is suddenly not as quiet as yesterday. The question rarely spoken aloud is: was the seasonal burden really weighed against the benefit — and by whom?

More than numbers: costs, grants and follow-up expenses

About €946,000 is budgeted, most of it from the fund for tourist accommodations, the rest from Santanyí. This is not a small sum: the municipality is investing heavily to create 20 additional parking spaces. But the calculation does not end with the completion of construction. Maintenance, cleaning, lighting, a possible barrier system and regular drainage servicing are ongoing items. Who will pay for that in five or ten years when grant money tapers off? One small but often overlooked point: underground structures near the sea require special care against moisture and corrosion — that drives up follow-up costs.

What the project really delivers — opportunities and limits

In the short term it is likely to bring relief: less circling, less stop-and-go. For shop owners along the harbor, more available parking often means more passing trade. The new square can become a meeting place, provide shade and invite children to play — a gain for the town center if the design is right. But 20 parking spaces are no cure-all for seasonal demand. If tourism continues to grow and no accompanying measures are taken, there is a high risk that the garage will quickly fill up again and cruising will increase.

Aspects that are rarely discussed

In many conversations an important dimension is hardly mentioned: the redistribution effects. A small, central underground garage can attract rental and location pressure — spaces that were previously used by residents could in future be claimed by visitors. The pedestrian traffic hub also changes: more parking nearby can reduce pressure on bus services and thereby indirectly weaken public transport. Last but not least: how will the access routes be regulated? Without clear traffic guidance, there is a risk of queues at the entrance — especially in the afternoons, when fishermen, suppliers and guests operate in a tight space.

Concrete proposals instead of hot air

Who should benefit can be steered. Some pragmatic proposals that could still be incorporated into implementation now:

1. Time-staggered construction: Shift noisy phases to the cooler months, ban noisy night work and schedule clear daytime windows for loud activities.

2. Resident and visitor zones: A system with resident permits or time-limited zones can prevent residents from being permanently displaced.

3. Operations and maintenance fund: Part of the grants should be reserved for a long-term maintenance fund so that repairs do not fall onto municipal budgets.

4. Mobility connections: Bicycle stands, e-charging stations and better links to bus lines reduce parking demand in the long term.

5. Monitoring: Parking sensors and annual occupancy reports show whether the project works in the long run — and provide a basis for adjustments.

Looking at the town center: balance instead of a hasty decision

Portopetro is visibly changing: a child who will later swing on the new square, an older man sipping his espresso on a bench, a waiter balancing a tray full of tapas. All of this sounds like a good future — if the construction site does not become a permanent part of daily life. The municipality has a chance not only to build parking spaces but to plan ahead in urban terms. Those who plan prudently now, limit noise and set clear rules for use and upkeep will create not just space for cars but room for village life.

Whether the underground garage meets this aspiration depends less on concrete and grant checks than on decisions in the coming months: who will be allowed to park there? Who pays the follow-up costs? And how much will the construction be perceived as a burden before it becomes an urban gain? It would be a pity for Portopetro if the hoped-for relief ends up being just another temporary nuisance — the clock is ticking, and the sounds at the harbor are a reminder.