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The “Lower Park” project was contemplating this.  Efforts by the Basque-Argentine, Juan de Garay Foundation, have avoided that this symbol, the icon of Basque history in Argentina situated meters from the Casa Rosada, has to be moved. The statue of Juan de Garay will be moved 30 meters.  This monument was inaugurated in 1915 and the Tree of Gernika grows in this central location since 1919. 

Buenos Aires, Argentina.   The project that began at the beginning of 2017 and that is developing under the name Lower Park, will include a new “green space” between the Belgrano, Corrientes, Paseo Colon and Huergo-Madero avenues in the capital city and originally proposed moving the monument to Juan de Garay along with the Tree of Gernika, located on the plaza “11 de Junio de 1580,” popularly known as the Juan de Garay Plaza, meters from the Casa Rosada, Argentine equivalent to the White House.  With an extension of 102,000 meters, the work will allow opening more green spaces, with the consequent intervention and reconfiguration of the area that will eliminate bars, sidewalks will be expanded, and monuments relocated s so the residents will enjoy new urban buildings, bike paths, and areas to exercise as well as a playground.

Among the intended works this particular one would have especially affected the Basque community, and threatened one of the most important symbols of the descendants of Euskal Herria.  It was the proposed relocation of the presidential heliport towards the inside of the perimeter of the Casa Rosada, precisely towards the Juan de Garay Plaza and the relocation of the monument of Juana Azurduy, the monument to Juan de Garay and the Tree of Gernika to accommodate the heliport.

Aware of the situation, members of the Basque-Argentine Juan de Garay Foundation got in touch with the city government to request that the project be reviewed, in particular, that which affected the oak tree.  Jorge Beramendi, from the Foundation told EuskalKultura.com that advisors, Carlos Thays, great grandson of the renowned French landscape architect Carlos Thays (Jules Charles Thays), suggested that they not move the tree from the spot it has occupied since 1919.

Beramendi explained, “The place where the tree is currently located along with the Garay monument (that was brought expressly by a member of Laurak Bat almost a century ago) is where the founding of the city is celebrated every June 11^th. Sharing in this celebration is the municipal government, the Foundation along with other authorities.  That is why the Foundation Juan de Garay has worked hard to review the project."  "Now, in meetings with the Minister of Urban Development and Transport, Franco Moccia, and with the documentation and historic foundation and cultural presence, we have finally achieved a review of the draft.”

“It was agreed, at the last meeting, that the Tree of Gernika, in front of the Casa Rosada, will stay there, thinking that moving it may endanger its survival.”  In regards to the Garay monument, it will be moved 30 meters and will still face the Leandro N. Alem Avenue.”  “We also suggested,” Beramendi continued,” the incorporation of plaques with the names of the first 64 inhabitants that Garay brought to re-found the city of Buenos Aires in 1580.”

“Having reached this agreement, representatives of the municipal government pledged that the square will not be modified so that this year's celebration on June 11th can take place as usual.”  “If everything goes according to schedule, the municipal government hopes that next year’s celebration can take place in the renovated space,” Beramendi concluded.