Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Estepona
When it comes to local politics, José María García Urbano is widely respected as a captain who controls the Estepona Town Hall tiller in a calm, competent and cordial manner. We say “widely” because it would obviously be awkward for those in the opposition ranks to publicly laud the merits of a staunch rival. However, by most accounts – we conducted a quick informal survey of friends and colleagues living in the municipality, covering a wide cross-section of political persuasions – García Urbano has ticked the main boxes during his four and a bit years in power.
One of the few Partido Popular mayors to maintain his absolute majority after the municipal elections in May – and a rare breed in politics in general in that he declines to receive any financial remuneration from the town hall – García Urbano inherited some serious issues when he first won election in 2011 but he has patiently navigated the choppy waters, righted the floundering boat, and steered it into a more serene and sound harbour.
Politics at a local level can often seem quite mundane but for most of us it has the greatest impact on our day-to-day lives – more than national or regional (and certainly European) policies – so maintaining a well-oiled and modern infrastructure, clean streets and a sense of security is of paramount importance.
In that respect, Estepona has been transformed into a model municipality, with a special focus on promoting the area as “The Garden of the Costa del Sol”, highlighted by the award-winning remodelling and embellishment of dozens of streets in the old town and the inauguration in March of the “Greenbelt-Botanical Park”.
Less glamorous, but arguably more important, is an ongoing programme of improvements and work on Estepona’s infrastructure and transport connections. In recent weeks, coming straight out of the blocks after the summer break, the town hall announced plans for several projects that, in the scheme of more worldly news, might seem minor but which will make life much more convenient for current and future residents.
These include construction of a river park in the Monterroso area, including a 250-metre water channel for kayaking; and a revamp of traffic access routes from the main coastal highway into the northern part of the town, the first stage of a major project to remodel the Avenida de Andalucía.
Back in March we reported plans for a 400-home, €200 million housing estate, Panoramia Estepona, on the outskirts of the town; and now the town hall has announced details of another project to build 52 luxury villas opposite the H10 Estepona Palace hotel, featuring a Scandinavian-style design in a classic Andalucian setting.
Presenting the new project, the mayor noted that Estepona was one of the main areas leading the Costa del Sol’s real estate recuperation. “It is a key objective for this government to boost residential-tourism in our municipality,” he said, adding that the town hall was committed to continuing to improve Estepona and to creating attractive new focal points of tourist and residential appeal.
One part of the municipality that has always been popular is the eastern end, near the border with Marbella, and this area has also figured prominently in the town hall’s recent improvement plans, with the construction of a bridge over the Taraje stream which connects about 3,000 residents in various urbanisations in Costalita. The work was carried out as part of the town hall’s “Urbanisations Connection Plan” which, according to García Urbano, is aimed at improving both the surroundings and traffic flow.
For those enticed by this area and looking to buy a new home in one of the Coast’s most progressive municipalities, this beachside family home is located in Costalita on the New Golden Mile and is priced at an attractively reduced €749,000.
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Photo: Daniel Pérez / Teatro Cervantes[/caption]
In the meantime, for those already living here or enjoying a getaway coinciding with Spain’s national day holiday on 12 October, there is a fascinating mix of events being held on the Coast this long weekend, ranging from annual fairs in Fuengirola, Nerja and Ojén (San Pedro’s feria also starts next week, on Wednesday) to theatre and music, including flamenco tribute shows at Málaga’s Teatro Cervantes by dancer and choreographer Sara Baras (pictured here).
Special Selections
We appreciate your taking the time to read about this exceptional property, but perhaps it is not exactly right for you? If not, we invite you to have a look at our other special selections for:
La Zagaleta,
Luxury Villas,
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Apartments and
Special Offers. Click on the category of your choice and follow the link. Also please feel free to roam around our website:
www.villamarbellanow.com.
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Photo: Daniel Pérez / Teatro Cervantes[/caption]
In the meantime, for those already living here or enjoying a getaway coinciding with Spain’s national day holiday on 12 October, there is a fascinating mix of events being held on the Coast this long weekend, ranging from annual fairs in Fuengirola, Nerja and Ojén (San Pedro’s feria also starts next week, on Wednesday) to theatre and music, including flamenco tribute shows at Málaga’s Teatro Cervantes by dancer and choreographer Sara Baras (pictured here).
Special Selections
We appreciate your taking the time to read about this exceptional property, but perhaps it is not exactly right for you? If not, we invite you to have a look at our other special selections for: La Zagaleta, Luxury Villas, Golf Properties, Seafront Properties, Apartments and Special Offers. Click on the category of your choice and follow the link. Also please feel free to roam around our website: www.villamarbellanow.com.