The Associació Passeig de Gràcia (APG) is calmer, with a municipal government that it says is more favorable compared to those of previous terms. This was expressed by its president, Luis Sans, at this year's traditional dinner for the Amics del Passeig de Gràcia award, coinciding with the end of the celebration of the promenade's 200th anniversary. "Barcelona has begun a new stage in which we all row in the same direction," remarked Sans, less combative than in previous editions. Of course, Sans did not forget to once again demand the unblocking of the hotel plan to attract high-category brands and reinforce security, as well as moving towards a city that does not shut down at 10 at night.
The arrival of the America's Cup is seen as a boost for the city's self-esteem by many sectors, including the merchants of Passeig de Gràcia, who have decided to present the award to two of its architects, businessman Daniel Puig and the vice-president of America's Cup Barcelona (ACE) and former president of Barcelona Global, Aurora Catà. "It will help us to position Barcelona in the world," defended Catà, who joined the initiative from Barcelona Global when Puig contacted her, encouraged by his wife to do something for the Catalan capital or stop complaining when he saw it with low morale. "Dani is really persistent and a very good friend," added Catà.
From that first impulse by Puig, who had been given the idea by sailor Guillermo Altadill, institutions joined in, both the Port of Barcelona and the Generalitat and the Barcelona City Council, to build a candidacy against the clock, as well as the businessmen who contributed the 25 million euros needed to endorse the project. "It is an example of public-private collaboration," celebrated the now vice-president of America's Cup Barcelona.
For his part, the Deputy Mayor for Economy, Finance, Economic Promotion and Tourism, Jordi Valls, has expressed his conviction that Barcelona will not only host the competition, but that the city will also add, in addition to taking advantage of the opportunity to strengthen its not very deep relationship with the sea. "We have to recover nautical activities, strengthen the port and help a sea with enormous difficulties. The city has responsibilities and we can face them through the America's Cup," he defended in his speech, in which he remembered the former president of the Port of Barcelona and now Junts councilor, Damià Calvet, for the impulse he gave to the candidacy to attract the regatta.
The Associació Passeig de Gràcia dinner was attended by almost 200 attendees, including representatives from the Barcelona City Council and civil society. Deputy Mayor Jordi Valls was accompanied by councilors Elisenda Alamany (ERC) and Daniel Sirera (PP). Also present were the president of the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, Josep Santacreu, the president of Barcelona Oberta, Gabriel Jené, the general director of the Gremi d'Hotels, Manel Casals, and the director of Casa Seat, Cristina Vall-Llosada, among others.