The integration of Alverca do Ribatejo's Citizen Space into the Citizen Shop located in the Auchan building is sparking social media controversy, primarily due to the relocation of this service from the city center. Concerns focus on the diminishing local accessibility in a city of thousands and the progressive centralization of public services in the Verdelha zone. Former CDU councilor Nuno Libório emphasized that Alverca's scale and characteristics necessitate maintaining public services in the urban core, especially for populations with mobility constraints, asserting that millions of euros invested in Auchan's private sector cannot supersede people's fundamental needs.
As of this Monday, the Citizen Space now operates in the Vila Franca de Xira Citizen Shop at Quinta das Drogas da Verdelha, adjacent to the EN10. The municipality justifies this transition through expanded service hours and the potential to consolidate multiple Local and Central Administration services within a single location. Service hours now run continuously from 9:00 to 17:00, Monday through Friday, encompassing services from the Municipal Council, the Municipal Water and Sewage Company, the Parish Council of Alverca do Ribatejo and Sobralinho, along with Social Security, Registry, and Tax services.
The relocation wasn't unexpected, as the Citizen Shop's Recovery and Resilience Plan application had already anticipated integrating the Citizen Space into this new facility. The location controversy isn't novel either; when the Council initially proposed establishing the municipality's first Citizen Shop in the Auchan building in 2022, the CDU challenged the approach, advocating for alternative public heritage sites closer to the urban center. The OGMA houses were suggested as a potential alternative location.
The municipality defended the Auchan zone selection by highlighting its strategic positioning near the EN10, accessibility to public transportation including bus and train connections, and ample parking availability. The Citizen Shop commenced operations on September 15,
