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Seixal Attracting Greater Numbers of Residents and Investors
13 October 2018
The county is currently considered one of the most attractive regions in Portugal by investors. In addition to its commitment to rehabilitation, the municipality announced major projects that will affect the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. The fervour in the real estate market has also reached the region.
Joaquim Santos, the mayor of Seixal, spoke to Diário Imobiliário about his view of the municipality and some of its ongoing projects. He revealed the district would become home to Lisbon South Bay’s first large industrial project. Lisbon South Bay encompasses the former industrial lands of Siderurgia and Lisnave on the south bank of the Tagus river, in the counties of Seixal, Barreiro and Almada. A Portuguese company will invest 200 million euros, creating 200 jobs.
The following is an interview with the mayor:
The trip from the Cais do Sodré to Seixal takes just 20 minutes by catamaran, but we had to wait an hour and a half before leaving…!
The last administration drastically reduced the number of boat crossings between the two shores. It wanted to stifle Seixal and Montijo. We didn’t let them.
In the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (AML), we are working on creating a pass that will cover the entire area and every operator at an affordable price. We are proposing a maximum price of 30 euros within the municipality of Lisbon and €40 in the AML. We want to reverse the decades-long trend of abandonment of the transport system.
The municipalities are preparing what will be known as the Metropolitan Carris.
How will you accomplish this?
By increasing the quantity and quality of the buses. We believe that the boat company, the Metro, Fertagus itself, the CP will coordinate amongst themselves, as they will have to take measures to meet the increase in demand.
Does Seixal have the worst transportation among the municipalities on Lisbon’s south bank?
On the contrary. The county has four railway stations and one river station. We are 12 km from the 25 de Abril Bridge.
However, we need to reinforce the heavy, fast boat and train transportation system, joining it to a light transport network that will feed them. This is where the Metropolitan Carris comes in.
We will acquire 750 new buses and hire and train the respective drivers. It will take some time. But if nothing is done, the problems of the 25th of April Bridge, Vasco da Gama won’t be resolved. Just one accident and everything stops…!
We are enjoying this moment of political harmony and the fact that the resources exist to implement this veritable revolution.
Has the real estate boom in Lisbon had repercussions in Seixal …?
In 2012, real estate prices were low in Seixal’s old urban centre, but once the council began rehabilitating and re-qualifying the historic centre, this generated strong private interest and price pressure. Now it is almost prohibitive to buy a building in very bad condition in the centre of Seixal. We are asking for 1,200 euros/m2 for a house in ruins!
However, Seixal will not limit itself to the municipal seat…
The municipality will invest in the rehabilitation of the old urban centres of Arrentela and Amora, taking advantage of existing lines of financing for rehabilitation. Those who want to buy to live, or to rehabilitate and rent or to open a business in these centres will receive 100% financing, low-interest rates, and benefits granted by the municipality [for investments in] urban recovery areas: 6% VAT, no IMI or IMT, 50 to 100% exemption from municipal fees and a direct line for licensing because it is in the ARU, making each operation much faster. We have generated a “favourable ecosystem” for urban regeneration. We are talking about the old centres that need reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Is there still a lot of rehabilitation that needs to be done?
40% of the buildings in the old centre of Seixal still need to be rehabilitated and occupied. In Arrentela and Amora, it is much worse; here it is about 80% of the buildings.
Is there more demand for buildings to rehabilitate or for new construction?
We are looking for small investors who want to create hostels, ice cream shops, restaurants, bars, etc., particularly in the riverside areas, some of which would be in partnership with the council. [Our vision is one of] making the Bay the municipality’s “central square.” Seixal will have its cultural and patrimonial life of its inhabitants centred on it.
Then there is a second with a set of new developments, of which Quinta da Trindade, next to the Sport Lisbon and Benfica’s training centres, is an example. 40% of it has been built so far. Another quality residential project is the Seixal Baía, which will enter a second phase of development.
In addition to these, we have Monte Verde, an enterprise with a very low construction index. It is a large project on the way to Sesimbra, in the area of Fernão Ferro, under development by the SIL group.
Next to Aroeira, the Alves Ribeiro Group is developing the Herdade do Pinhão, which will consist of four large developments aimed at first homes.
What about industries, logistics and services?
We have a third ring that is aimed at industrial areas, logistics and services. That region goes from the lands of Siderurgia, with 537 hectares, to Quinta das Lagoas, near Corroios and Almada.
Does the Council have all the facilities it needs?
None of the counties in the two large Metropolitan Areas have all the necessary facilities. An analysis of the existing facilities in the AML is demonstrating that we still fall short of other countries.
In Seixal, we are investing on several fronts: schools, kindergartens, sports facilities, municipal parks and environmental and cultural facilities.
We will upgrade existing public facilities and inaugurate a second Citizen’s Shop in the District of Setúbal. Construction will begin soon, and we are planning on an inauguration in 2020.
We still need the facilities that are the responsibility of the central government: the Seixal Hospital; the Seixal Police Division; financing for schools and homes for the elderly and daycare…
Those facilities are necessary not just to serve the current population, but to attract people whom we hope will choose the Municipality to reside and work here.
Original Story: Jornal Econômico – António Baptista Da Silva and Fernanda Pedro
Translation: Richard Turner