Two projects presented in the Buenos Aires Legislature questioned the tender through which the City Government seeks to grant a concession of a Cementerio de la Recoleta vault for five years. The initiatives focus on the authorization of commercial and tourist activities within the site, their compatibility with funeral regulations, and the heritage protection of the place.
The file 2482-D-2026, promoted by Manuela Thourte together with Guillermo Suárez, proposes that the Legislature express concern about the procedure. The file 2487-D-2026, submitted by Bárbara Rossen with Francisco Caporiccio and Claudia Neira, requests reports from the Executive Power on the background, criteria, and agencies involved in the decision to offer the space.
The tender was announced by Disposition 278/DGCOYP/26 and published on August 7. It covers an approximate area of 24.55 square meters in Section 17, Board 201, Graves 1 to 12. The opening of bids is scheduled for September 9 at 11. The base fee was set at ARS 1.6 million per month, and night tourism would include a minimum share of 20% of gross income.
The bid allows a shop for publications and commemorative items, take-away sales of simple food and beverages, and nighttime visits of a cultural, educational, or recreational nature. One of the central questions arises from article 22 of Law 4977, which prohibits commercial activities within the Buenos Aires cemeteries. The request for information requires the Executive to explain the legal interpretation used to proceed.
The authors also pointed out that the cemetery is part of the Historical Protection Area APH14 Recoleta Scope and that the plot has comprehensive protection. They recalled that the property contains around 4.500 vaults and more than 90 tombs declared as Historical Monuments Nacionales. To material conservation, they added respect for its function as a place of burial and mourning.
The future concessionaire would have 30 business days from taking possession to present the final work, adaptation, and improvement plan and to process the corresponding authorizations. For now, the concession has not been awarded and the legislative projects do not automatically suspend the bidding. Their handling will determine whether the Executive must formally extend explanations before the opening of bids.
