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Court upholds suspension of 'São Paulo Times Square' project in city center

4 sources · 13 Jun 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press composed from multiple sources ? no verbatim passage

São Paulo's Court of Justice denied on Friday (12) the City Hall's appeal to resume the Boulevard São João project, known as the 'São Paulo Times Square,' at the intersection of Ipiranga and São João avenues. Judge Fausto Seabra, rapporteur in the 7th Public Law Chamber, maintained the suspension by understanding there is no risk of irreparable damage with the paralysis until deeper analysis of the case.

Press quotes (1)
DCM

"A Justiça negou nesta sexta-feira (12) o recurso apresentado pela Prefeitura de São Paulo para retomar a implantação da chamada "Times Square" paulistana"

The project had been suspended since May 27 by an injunction from Judge Celina Kiyomi Toyoshima of the 4th Public Treasury Court, in case number 1034356-34.2026.8.26.0053. The injunction was granted in a popular action filed by a group of citizens represented by lawyers Igor Tamasauskas and Maitê Piccolomini Bertaiolli from Bottini & Tamasauskas law firm. ?

Press quotes (2)
Conjur

"Esse foi o entendimento da juíza Celina Kiyomi Toyoshima, da 4ª Vara de Fazenda Pública de São Paulo, para suspender em caráter liminar a autorização de instalação de painéis de publicidade do projeto Boulevard São Paulo, conhecido como 'Times Square Paulistana'... Processo 1034356-34.2026.8.26.0053"

Conjur

"Um grupo de cidadãos ajuizou uma ação popular contra a prefeitura e outros órgãos, pedindo a anulação do ato... Atuam na causa, representando os autores da ação, os advogados Igor Tamasauskas e Maitê Piccolomini Bertaiolli, do escritório Bottini & Tamasauskas Advogados."

The plaintiffs alleged misuse of purpose in using the Clean City Law to reintroduce monumental advertising, damage to historical and landscape heritage, and absence of adequate public competition. The Public Prosecutor's Office defended the suspension, arguing that introducing giant panels constitutes abuse of the municipal legislation's urban planning objectives.

Press quotes (2)
Conjur

"Os autores da ação argumentaram que o projeto representa um desvio de finalidade, pois utiliza um artigo da Lei Cidade Limpa para reintroduzir publicidade monumental, o que causaria lesão ao patrimônio histórico, paisagístico e ao erário municipal"

Conjur

"O Ministério Público, por sua vez, defendeu a suspensão do projeto. O órgão apontou que a introdução de painéis gigantes constitui abuso aos objetivos urbanísticos da legislação"

The project foresees private investment of R$ 42 million in LED panels on four buildings, with a counterpart of R$ 8 million for monument restoration. The City Hall conducted public consultation between March 9-24, 2026 on the Participe+ platform, and the project was approved by the Urban Landscape Protection Commission in a close vote.

Press quotes (3)
G1

"O custo dos telões é estimado em R$ 42 milhões, inteiramente bancados pela iniciativa privada"

G1

"O termo de cooperação firmado com o grupo Fábrica de Bares prevê a aplicação de R$ 8 milhões pela empresa para a restauração de monumentos"

Prefeitura

"A Prefeitura de São Paulo abre, nesta segunda-feira (09), consulta pública on-line sobre o projeto Boulevard São João, iniciativa estratégica de requalificação urbana e ativação tecnológica no centro da capital... e ficará disponível para contribuições da população na plataforma Participe+ até 24 de março."

In Friday's decision, the judge pointed to 'reasonable doubt' about the project's framework under the Clean City Law and highlighted that CPPU deliberated 11 days before the end of public consultation, which could compromise the legitimacy of the decision-making process.

Press quotes (2)
DCM

"Na decisão, o magistrado afirmou que a implantação imediata do projeto poderia provocar "alterações relevantes na paisagem urbana da região central"

DCM

"Na nova decisão, o desembargador apontou "dúvida razoável" sobre o enquadramento do projeto em trecho da Lei Cidade Limpa que permite termos de cooperação quando há interesse público. Ele também destacou que a CPPU deliberou sobre o caso 11 dias antes do fim da consulta pública"

1. What we know (1)

City Hall's appeal was denied by Judge Fausto Seabra in the 7th Public Law Chamber on June 12, 2026

2 sources DCM G1
2. Where coverage thins out (3)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (2)

Project foresees panel operation between 5am-11pm, with 30% of time for advertising and 70% for cultural and public utility content

Reported by: G1
Did not cover: DCM

City Hall alleged that paralysis frustrates private investments and makes heritage restoration actions unfeasible

Reported by: DCM G1

Conflicting versions (1)

Value of project counterparts by private company

1 source — "Annual counterparts of R$ 2 million according to popular action authors": Conjur
1 source — "Total counterpart of R$ 7.9 million according to City Hall in appeal": DCM
1 source — "Counterpart of R$ 8 million for restoration according to cooperation agreement": G1
3. What we don't know yet (2)
  • What is the deadline for a potential new City Hall appeal and when will the merit trial be?

    Why it's still unknown: Neither the Court of Justice decision nor press coverage specified the next procedural deadlines or when the case will be definitively analyzed.

    Did not cover: DCM G1
  • What exactly were the contributions received in the public consultation and how did they influence CPPU's decision?

    Why it's still unknown: Although public consultation occurred between March 9-24 on the Participe+ platform, the content of contributions was not disclosed by municipal agencies.

    Did not cover: G1 DCM

All sources

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