Palma Approves Redevelopment of the Luis-Sitjar Site: Sports, Housing, and More Greenery

Finally, some movement on the Luis-Sitjar site

After more than a decade of stagnation, Palma's city council has paved the way for a comprehensive redevelopment of the former Luis-Sitjar stadium. The site, which many of us still know only as an overgrown lot in the Es Fortí neighborhood, is to be reorganized: a sports center, parking spaces, affordable housing, and a care center are now on the agenda.

What exactly is planned

The city aims to take control of the largely expansive site and combine several uses. Several sources in the administration speak of a sports complex with indoor facilities for local clubs and suitable outdoor spaces for basketball or football training. In addition, residential buildings are planned to be offered at more affordable prices – finally an answer to the housing shortage, say some neighbors.

A park with more than 40 trees is part of the design. Plans include planting different tree species, with olives, pines, and some shade-giving ornamental trees mentioned. This should benefit the Es Fortí neighborhood not only visually but also help mitigate the summer heat a bit.

Old meets new: historic elements remain

Important for many: historic remnants of the old stadium, such as the main gate and some walls, should be preserved and integrated into the new facility. This is a small concession to memory and identity – and something that older residents explicitly welcome.

Problems that have been solved

A major reason for the long-standing blockage was the complicated ownership structure: hundreds of individual parcels and shares made negotiations difficult. According to the town hall, these hurdles have now been cleared so that the city can consolidate the property. This opens the door for planning and tenders.

What people on the street are saying

I walked through Es Fortí in the morning and spoke with residents. A neighbor on Plaça laughed and said: 'When they finally plant trees, you can sit on the bench again in summer.' A young father, on the other hand, expressed concern about construction noise and asked whether there will be enough parking spaces.

Timeline and next steps

Concrete dates have not yet been set. The city announced that it will now initiate the next procedural steps: public hearings, tenders for construction projects, and the application for building permits. Realistically, construction could begin within one to two years; initial transitional measures are possible as soon as contracts are signed.

In short: The Luis-Sitjar site is poised for a real transformation – a mix of hopes and concerns. For the neighborhood, this could ultimately be a win if noise, traffic, and costs during the construction phase are well managed. I will stay on top of it and report as soon as concrete plans and visualizations are available.