The state-owned Empresa de Gestión del Patrimonio S.A., under the umbrella of Havana's Office of the Historian, has launched a public tender to lease state-owned areas along the Malecón's coastline. This initiative is being presented as a "unique opportunity" to invite proposals for dining, retail, cultural, and recreational ventures. However, it has sparked more skepticism than excitement.
The available plots are strategically located at key points on the Malecón: Malecón 151 at the corner of Crespo, 463 at the corner of Perseverancia, 601-603 at the corner of Escobar, and 69 at the corner of Genios. All rentals will be temporary. Additionally, there are spaces for a stand on the upper floor of the Antiguos Almacenes de San José Cultural Center, intended for the sale of crafts or endeavors recognized by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
The announcement emphasizes prioritizing "innovative projects that create jobs locally and promote social inclusion, with a positive impact on the community." Environmental sustainability criteria, like the use of renewable energy, are also encouraged.
Nonetheless, the response on social media has been less than positive. Comments on the Facebook post reveal a mix of skepticism, frustration, and irony. "Will they keep allowing urban monstrosities like La Abadía and Café Neruda? Order first and foremost, please," wrote Yesmin Cerpa, referencing previously criticized businesses. Lennon Fernández bluntly remarked, "Invest until they decide to kick you out, and you lose your money."
Other users questioned the viability of these spaces, situated in a vulnerable coastal strip. "They should be floating kiosks and collapse-proof," joked Eric Piedra, highlighting the hurricane season's risks and the deteriorating buildings along much of this coastal stretch.
The concept of revitalizing the Malecón through private efforts while the State shirks urban maintenance duties is perceived by some as a covert delegation of institutional responsibility. Piedra added, "It's a good joke for entrepreneurs; they want them to rebuild the Malecón since they got tired of diverting funds."
Despite the call for new opportunities to rehabilitate the Historic Center, the lack of information on urban regulations, structural safety, and legal guarantees for entrepreneurs leaves a concerning gap. "Can we even plan kiosks for entrepreneurs?" asked René Castellanos, suggesting that neither the rules nor who enforces them are clear.
With a proposal submission deadline set for June 30, the tender is marketed as a way to energize the area. However, amid the current climate of scarcity and distrust in state management, it seems more like a test of creative survival against official neglect.
The Office of the Historian of Havana lost its economic autonomy after its financial support was transferred to the Grupo de Administración de Empresas S.A. (GAESA), a non-auditable military sector conglomerate that accounts for 40 to 70% of the country's economy or foreign currency income.
Since then, the comprehensive and inclusive vision of the Master Plan for the Rehabilitation of the Historic Center has shifted priorities. Tourism revenue that once directly funded rehabilitation has been redirected, as Cuban architect and professor Universo García Lorenzo recently noted. Amid the deep crisis affecting Cuba's state service structure, the Cuban government has approved measures allowing private management of some venues to boost domestic commerce in response to the State's incapacity.
In March 2023, Santiago de Cuba's state-owned Empresa de Grabaciones y Ediciones Musicales (EGREM) began commercial space tenders in the province. Similarly, the Antonio Maceo International Airport in the eastern city opened bids for its dining spaces to Cuban private companies to enhance "customer satisfaction by increasing catering services."
In June 2022, it was revealed that the government would tender 300 establishments in the gastronomy network for the first time. At that time, Interior Commerce Minister Betsy Díaz Velázquez acknowledged that Cuba's domestic trade needed a transformation that the State couldn't undertake, and that more autonomous commercial units and concessions operate more effectively and contribute to sales stability.
FAQs on Havana's Malecón Public Spaces Bidding
What is the purpose of leasing spaces on Havana's Malecón?
The leasing aims to attract proposals for dining, retail, cultural, and recreational projects to invigorate the Malecón area.
How are the projects for Malecón spaces being prioritized?
Projects are prioritized based on their innovation, potential to create local jobs, promote social inclusion, and incorporate environmental sustainability criteria.
What concerns have been raised about the leasing process?
Concerns include the lack of information on urban regulations, structural safety, and legal guarantees for entrepreneurs, as well as skepticism about the viability of the coastal spaces.