NewsWhore
08-15-2007, 05:10 PM
The old chocolate factory in Puerto Plata, called La Chocolatera, has long been coveted by developers because of its location. Now, the Ministry of Culture has held several workshops to develop use plans for the site. Now planned would be a branch of the Las Americas Institute of Technology (ITLA), a branch of the state training institute INFOTEP, a cinematography institute and a school for studies of carnivals and folklore, and major park area. The plans were revealed during the latest meeting with local business groups, neighborhood associations, artists and tourism industry representatives from the area, the Interamerican Development Bank and the World Bank, among others. The cultural focus announced by the Ministry of Culture is gathering more and more support within the community. The plan, first thought up in 1999 by a small group of artists, according to Diario Libre, will now seek the support of President Fernandez.
But Minister of Tourism Felix Jimenez, privately a major realtor himself, has called the plans "nonsensical", and says that it would be better to raze the old buildings and put up apartments. In the Jimenez proposal, nearby slum inhabitants would be relocated to provide for a larger real estate development. Jimenez has the ears of many in Puerto Plata where in the past two years he has gained much popularity for investing a greater share of the airport passenger tax in Puerto Plata.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)
But Minister of Tourism Felix Jimenez, privately a major realtor himself, has called the plans "nonsensical", and says that it would be better to raze the old buildings and put up apartments. In the Jimenez proposal, nearby slum inhabitants would be relocated to provide for a larger real estate development. Jimenez has the ears of many in Puerto Plata where in the past two years he has gained much popularity for investing a greater share of the airport passenger tax in Puerto Plata.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#5)