Bilbao City Council has announced that the Ensanche parking lot will become operational in December, offering a total of 549 spaces for both local residents and occasional users. Construction began in the spring of 2024 and is expected to conclude 28 months later.
The underground parking works are closely linked to the ongoing renovation of the upper plaza. The final location of the kiosk, previously situated in the plaza, is yet to be decided. Asier Abaunza, Councillor for Urban Planning, explained that "the kiosk is located on Ercilla street, at the corner of Obispo Orueta. Once the Ensanche plaza works are finished, and depending on the available space, its definitive location will be evaluated".
Resident applications are still being processed. Two months after the application deadline, Bilbao City Council has not yet assigned all the parking spaces. Residents were allowed to apply for a maximum of two parking spots per household and a third for a motorcycle. Due to the high volume of applications, they are being reviewed individually. As there are more applications than available spaces, a lottery will be held.
After the lottery, residents who do not secure a space will be placed on a waiting list. The rental concession period will be one year, with the option to renew. A dedicated floor for residents will compensate for the spaces removed from the surrounding area, freeing up more space for pedestrians.
Monthly rental prices will vary by vehicle type: cars will cost 60 euros, motorcycles 24 euros, and bicycles 6 euros. For residents within a 400-meter radius of the Ensanche parking lot, prices will be lower: 50 euros for cars, 20 for motorcycles, and 5 for bicycles. All residents will be responsible for their share of the community expenses.
The new Ensanche parking lot will feature a total of 549 spaces across five floors. The fifth floor will accommodate 109 car spaces, with 5 designated for individuals with reduced mobility. Additionally, there will be 4 motorcycle spaces and 14 for bicycles.
The increasing prevalence of electric vehicles has led to the inclusion of charging points. Initially, these are expected to serve 10% of rotation users and 25% of residents, with potential for future expansion to 100% of spaces.
Accessibility has also been a key consideration. There will be two elevators, one of which is adapted for bicycles. A license plate recognition system will facilitate entry and exit. Interior visibility has been improved to eliminate dark spots, and video surveillance cameras will be installed.
The comprehensive renovation of the upper plaza is another objective, aiming to create a more modern space with increased green areas and more trees. Pérgolas will also be installed to provide shade, considering the effects of climate change. The works, spanning over two years, are set to conclude in 2026.
Several months ago, Bilbao City Council approved project modifications that resulted in a budget increase of 2,798,642.15 euros, bringing the total investment to 20.8 million euros. Initially, 14.9 million euros were allocated for the parking rehabilitation and 3.3 million for the plaza.
Among the changes was the inclusion of an exclusive resident access to the -2 floor, designed to prevent congestion from other users. The budget increase also covered the installation of a suitable elevator for storing bicycles on the resident floor.
