The residents of the old Mobba factory in the Center neighborhood in Badalona have once again demanded "that the promises they made to us be fulfilled" and that the municipal government transform the space into a large green area, as they guaranteed in 2014 when they proceeded to its expropriation for a value of 4.5 million euros.
Residents in the area consider that the building, located in a strategic point of the city, a few meters from the train station, presents a deplorable state of "unhealthiness, invaded by rodents" and is far "from the promised green and safe space." to the community". In addition, they demand that Xavier Garcia Albiol "comply with the commitment to empty the building and eliminate the dangerous fiber cement" from the roof.
The PP government, for its part, regrets the situation that the neighbors must go through, but they affirm that "we are awaiting the ruling that will allow us to completely demolish the building", which they believe will not take long to happen. In parallel, they announce that "a deratization action will be carried out this week." Regarding the fiber cement roof, "we can do little," they say, until it is demolished, because "the factory cannot be left without the cover."
The residents of Mobba say they feel "frustrated" and fear the risks to their health and the insecurity of being exposed to the emission of fiber cement particles from the roof "which is deteriorating more and more every day." "We are tired of broken promises, the situation is unsustainable," they say in a statement to demand a definitive solution that addresses the need for green spaces in the city and guarantees the elimination of materials hazardous to health.
Those affected remember that the mayor, Xavier Garcia Albiol, four months ago, in a meeting in Plaza de la Plana "announced imminent measures" to address the state of abandonment of the building, including the emptying of dangerous materials and accumulated garbage "that present an obvious fire risk." However, they keep in mind that "the only action was to expel a squatter" after neighborhood pressure on social networks. Furthermore, they insist on "the persistence of giant rats in the area."
The controversy surrounding the property dates back to 2014, when it was expropriated by the city council and classified as a green area with the aim of demolishing it and building a park. The central building, a former MOBBA factory (Montajes de Básculas y Balanzas), housed until March 2021 a historic creation and performing arts factory since several artistic companies located their headquarters there in 2005.
However, the fire of an occupied warehouse in the Gorg neighborhood in December 2021, in which four migrant occupants died, reactivated the controversy and put the poor conditions of some properties in the city in the spotlight, so The council forced the artists to leave the Mobba in March of the same year.
