Community Fights Proposed Parking Structure Next to El Escambrón — 15 Irregularities Referred to Comptroller

San Juan's community is pushing back — hard. Residents, environmentalists, and even the Puerto Rico Bar Association are standing firm against a proposed 950-space parking structure next to El Escambrón beach, and a municipal legislator just referred 15 alleged irregularities in the current parking lot lease to the Comptroller ¹².

The project, driven by Smart Parking System under Municipal Ordinance No. 55, would build a $22 million structure in Parque del Tercer Milenio José Celso Barbosa, right next to one of Puerto Rico's most iconic public beaches ¹. The deal would include surface rights for 90 years — essentially handing over public land to a private company for nearly a century.

At the Municipal Legislature's public hearing, opposition was fierce ¹. Bar Association President Vivian Godineaux Villaronga argued the ordinance lacks sufficient legal foundation and involves an overly broad delegation of powers. Representatives from Arrecife Condado, a nonprofit coastal conservation organization, warned that building a concrete structure near the coast will create liquid contamination that will destroy reefs and marine life ¹.

Frank Inserni proposed a more sensible alternative: a trolley system connecting existing nearby parking facilities instead of pouring more concrete on the coast ¹.

But the controversy goes beyond the new project. Municipal Legislator Ingrid Colberg Rodríguez, PPD spokesperson in San Juan's Municipal Legislature, sent a letter to Comptroller Carmen Vega Fournier detailing 15 alleged irregularities in the current Escambrón parking lot lease ²³⁴. Among the most serious findings:

• The original lease authorization was conditioned on a public auction or RFP that never took place ²⁴.
• Contract extensions were approved without competitive bidding through Ordinances No. 17 (2021-2022) and No. 9 (2022-2023) ²⁴.
• The parking lot operated during certain periods without a contract registered with the Comptroller ²⁴.
• The monthly fee of $13,200 hasn't been reviewed in at least 15 years ²⁴.
• The current operator is American Parking, but the surface rights would go to Smart Parking System — two separate entities, which Colberg calls problematic ³.

"The Municipality and its mayor have been unable to speak clearly to San Juan residents about this project. It's unacceptable that at this point we lack information we requested over a month ago," Colberg said ².

Mayor Romero responded that Ordinance No. 17 was approved unanimously by the Municipal Legislature, including PPD votes ³.

What It Means for You

El Escambrón isn't just any beach — it's a public resource that belongs to all of Puerto Rico. If this project moves forward without proper oversight, it sets a dangerous precedent: that public coastal land can be handed to private companies for 90 years without bidding, without transparency, and without adequate environmental studies ¹².

For San Juan residents, it means more traffic congestion, more concrete in a fragile coastal zone, and the potential degradation of the reefs that make El Escambrón a unique destination ¹. And the track record of irregularities in the current contract raises serious doubts about the Municipality's ability to oversee an even larger, more complex agreement.

How to Get Involved

There are several ways to make your voice heard:

• Public hearing: The San Juan Municipal Legislature has a public hearing on the project scheduled this week. Attend or request to submit written testimony ⁴.
• Contact your municipal legislator: Reach out to San Juan legislators to express your position on Ordinance No. 55.
• Comptroller's Office: Comptroller Carmen Vega Fournier already has the referral. You can file complaints or submit additional information to the Office of the Comptroller of Puerto Rico at ocpr.gov.pr.
• Community organizations: Join groups like Arrecife Condado that are leading the environmental opposition.
• Social media: Amplify the message and share the information with your community.

What Comes Next

The Comptroller must evaluate the 15 alleged irregularities referred by Colberg and determine whether they warrant a formal investigation ²⁴. The Municipal Legislature will continue public hearings on Ordinance No. 55, though neither municipal officials nor the project proponent are expected to testify at the next session ⁴. Community pressure will be key to stopping — or at least reforming — a project that many see as a direct threat to San Juan's coastal heritage.

Sources: ¹ NotiCel - https://noticel.com/noticias/20260729/firme-oposicion-a-propuesto-estacionamiento-aledano-al-escambron/ ² NotiCel - https://noticel.com/ultima-hora/20260729/refieren-a-la-contralora-senalamientos-por-arrendamiento-del-estacionamiento-actual-del-escambron/ ³ El Nuevo Día - https://www.elnuevodia.com/noticias/locales/notas/refieren-a-contraloria-el-contrato-de-la-empresa-administradora-del-estacionamiento-de-el-escambron/ ⁴ El Vocero - https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/agencias/refieren-a-la-contralora-15-presuntas-irregularidades-en-arrendamiento-del-escambr-n/article_32b0a1db-216b-404e-99f8-e414ca1ecf5e.html