Stable political scenario favors Auctions at Cais Mauá and Jardim Botânico

With renewed optimism, the government of Rio Grande do Sul hopes to achieve in 2023 what was not possible last year: granting concessions for Cais Mauá and Jardim Botânico. According to the Secretary of Partnerships and Concessions, Pedro Maciel Capeluppi, the fact that the electoral process was left behind and now there is a more predictable situation regarding the regional and national political scenarios will make it easier for the auctions of these spaces in Porto Alegre to be successful.

Capeluppi recalls that the Cais Mauá and Jardim Botânico events were supposed to take place at the end of 2022. “And close to the election there is a greater fear of investors about what will happen in the future”, argues the leader. Within this scenario, as the auctions ended up being deserted, the secretary comments that the government of Rio Grande do Sul went back “to the drawing board” and decided, with the Bndes (which helps in modeling the concessions), to listen to those who might be interested in these spaces to assess whether it would be necessary to make a more relevant adaptation or not of these projects.

The secretary claims that investors say the ventures are attractive. He reiterates that the political environment, with the end of the mandates of the federal and state governments, was the greatest difficulty for the concessions to be confirmed last year. The auction notice for Cais Mauá will be released again and the perspective is that the event will take place around July and August. Capeluppi emphasizes that, after this auction, not too far away, there will be a dispute over the Botanical Garden.

According to the secretary, the perception is that very significant adjustments to the proposals will not be necessary, that is, there should not be a major change in the modeling of the auctions. “We are working a lot with qualitative issues, to give more transparency to public notices, obligations and schedule”, anticipates Capeluppi.

Initially, the invitation to bid for the Cais Mauá event called for an investment of R$ 355 million in restoration, urbanization and revitalization for the areas under concession. Another BRL 20.5 million would be spent annually on operation and maintenance, over the 30-year period of the contract. In addition, there would be a set of investments that would be made for real estate development in the dock area. The pier land is owned by the State, with an area of ​​181.3 thousand square meters on the banks of the Guaíba, and is divided between the warehouses, the docks and the space close to the Gasometer (not including the plant).

As for the Botanical Garden, the forecast was for investments of approximately R$ 247 million in management, infrastructure and conservation. The project provided for the concession for 30 years. The buyer would have to meet a series of requirements, such as the maintenance of the park’s species, aiming at full use for conservation and preservation of nature, in addition to scientific research and education. Space management should be based on revitalizing, modernizing and implementing new services.

Capeluppi is convinced that there will be interested parties when the developments are offered once again this year. “A deserted auction never crossed my mind again, I think that was very cyclical”, maintains the manager. The secretary also adds that there are plans to establish partnerships in the areas of health and education. This issue will be discussed with the secretariats related to these segments. “We have a deficiency in the infrastructure of schools and we can do a lot in health”, he points out.

Also in the concession plans for 2023 are the airports of Passo Fundo and Santo Ângelo and road blocks. Another action that should be taken is the public-private partnership (PPP) involving the Erechim prison. Capeluppi recalls that changing the location of the current prison complex is a demand from society in the city.