Valongo Park in Santos could see warehouse use

The main attraction of the space today is a Ferris wheel, but the City Hall of Santos assures that there is a schedule for public and private events (Vanessa Rodrigues/AT)

Almost two months after the inauguration of Valongo Park, the City Hall of Santos faces a challenge: to prevent the facility from becoming a white elephant and lacking proper maintenance. The Municipal Administration guarantees that the location will not be limited to hosting City Hall events and is discussing, along with the Port Authority of Santos (APS), a plan for the occupation of warehouses 1 through 3, which are expected to be revitalized by next year.

According to Glaucus Farinello, Secretary of Urban Development of Santos, discussions suggest that the spaces will be occupied by private enterprises through concessions, which will occur after the completion of the works. “The advancement of other works is necessary to permanently establish gastronomy and support services in the park”, emphasizes the secretary.

Farinello further highlights that the temporary absence of certain resources at Valongo Park was anticipated, as the facility's delivery was planned in phases. “We know that this is a transitional phase, the first stage of a project greatly desired by the City, and it is not within a month, or even a year, that we will have the definitive scenario”, he says.

The secretary mentions the decree published on August 13 in the Official Journal of Santos, which sets public fees for the use of park areas for events. “Private entities are already hosting events, so the facility does not depend on municipal investments for these attractions, which involve entertainment and gastronomy”.

Farinello says that the park is an extension of the Historic Center, which is undergoing revitalization works. “Valongo Park is not an independent entity within the City; it is an extension, a feature of the planning for the Historic Center. Occupation is one of the strong pillars to make the central area a lively center, with people circulating 24 hours a day, which brings security, development, commerce, and services”, he explains.

Access Improvements In addition to renovations at warehouses 1, 2, and 3, construction of the elevated boulevard will begin in the coming months, connecting the tourist attraction to XV de Novembro Road, thus expanding access options to the park, which is currently only accessible via the Customs footbridge, which also provides access to the ferry terminal, an area that will be revitalized in the future.

With the new access, the City Hall estimates that Valongo Park will be just a five-minute walk from the Coffee Exchange, another tourist attraction in Santos. According to Farinello, negotiations are underway for a connection between the park and the future passenger terminal at Concais, which is expected to be relocated from Outeirinhos to Valongo, where the Pelé Museum is also located.

Additionally, there is an ongoing project to build a bicycle footbridge associated with the Customs footbridge, which is the responsibility of the concessionaire managing the railway line passing through the area, the Internal Railway of Santos Port (Fips).

Attractions Among the attractions planned for Valongo Park are the installation of museums and restaurants, which are expected to occupy warehouses 1 through 3. Additionally, across the area between warehouses 1 and 6, equipment such as sand sports courts, green areas, furniture, and a boardwalk are planned.

In the already operational area, there are two courts for beach tennis, footvolley, and beach volleyball, a playground, a contemplative floating pier for tourists, a Ferris wheel, and warehouse 4, which hosts events like the Winter Creative Party 2024. Scheduled for this month are the Geek Festival and the Valongo Park Music Fest

The location had specific issues Following reports received by A Tribuna about maintenance issues at the facility inaugurated on July 5, the Report visited Valongo Park to closely examine the condition of the new tourist spot.

The Report found damaged paper dispensers and soap dishes in the restroom. Additionally, the children's bathroom was closed, and the floor had a hole. However, no major issues were found, and maintenance staff were present at the site.

In a statement, the City Hall of Santos informed that Valongo Park continues to undergo adjustments and that “replacement of the restroom paper dispensers will be arranged”. According to the Municipal Administration, the changing table and restrooms are functioning normally, but the children’s bathroom is undergoing maintenance.

The Municipality also reported that restroom cleaning is performed daily from 8 AM to 8 PM by a contracted company, and that “daily sweeping of the park and collection of waste from the bins are carried out by Terracom work teams”.

The City Hall said that when necessary and in the absence of events, the external area of the space and the interior of warehouse 4 are cleaned.