A lot of businesses closed in Sosua

[singletravel]

I was asking specifically about the Esplanade project. I'm still interested in what their targeted demographic and business model is?

I was hoping NY-DR Commuter would address this as he seems to have insider knowledge about this particular project. (Can't help but use another Trump analogy: Maybe it's going to be the "fittest" project in the history of the country?) (;-)

And I rode by there yesterday afternoon. Didn't appear to be any activity (construction or otherwise) going on?? Is there a timeline? I always have friends wanting to visit looking for recommendations.


The owner/investor of the Esplanade project are personal friends. The local commander came by and stopped the work till the proper permits are issued (read between the lines here). They are furious for they had a 125 man work force brought to a halt! The tourism minister gave them the go-ahead to start. You know how it works here.

They have a soft opening set for Jan 15. I have a $100.00 wager no-way!!!

Their market will be NY and yes a single/families mix. The owner runs a few properties here already and knows his clients.

The investor (this if just one of his many projects) is now working on low-income housing complex with DR banks mortgages. Will be in the Playa Dorado area. He has many more in the works. He has a large team here doing their due diligence on different idea, projects, developments.

If you’d like to meet the guys may I suggest you go to their “movie out nights” for the kids in different barrios on the North Coast on the week-ends. Yes, they do a great deal of charity and humanitarian work here also.

http://www.nochedecinegratis.com/lista-de-peliculas/

He is a believer in the North coast.

 

[ju10prd]

.......... no idea where Sosua News reporter got it from.

http://puertoplatahabla.com/pp/presidente-danilo-medina-realiza-visita-sorpresa-a-ilana-neumann/

 

[markryan]

Perhaps, but people rarely go out to eat and drink from any AI. Like a cruise ship that does not go anywhere.

Taking a shuttle will provide work for a couple of drivers, but then the taxis could cause problems for those shuttles. And so it goes.

The reason alot of people dont leave an AI is because in most you can not just leave the hotel and go for a walk in a town like sosua. That is what my wife and I love about Casa Marina. Cheap package deal of air+hotel but we are not trapped in a hotel for a week. We leave everyday and spend money outside the hotel. Can't really do that in Punta Cana

 

[dv8]

it says nothing about making sosua a family destination. beautifying and improving? yes. smashing putas? no.

 

[windeguy]

it says nothing about making sosua a family destination. beautifying and improving? yes. smashing putas? no.

among other important issues.

 

[windeguy]

I was asking specifically about the Esplanade project. I'm still interested in what their targeted demographic and business model is?

I was hoping NY-DR Commuter would address this as he seems to have insider knowledge about this particular project. (Can't help but use another Trump analogy: Maybe it's going to be the "fittest" project in the history of the country?) (;-)

And I rode by there yesterday afternoon. Didn't appear to be any activity (construction or otherwise) going on?? Is there a timeline? I always have friends wanting to visit looking for recommendations.


The owner/investor of the Esplanade project are personal friends. The local commander came by and stopped the work till the proper permits are issued (read between the lines here). They are furious for they had a 125 man work force brought to a halt! The tourism minister gave them the go-ahead to start. You know how it works here.

They have a soft opening set for Jan 15. I have a $100.00 wager no-way!!!

Their market will be NY and yes a single/families mix. The owner runs a few properties here already and knows his clients.

The investor (this if just one of his many projects) is now working on low-income housing complex with DR banks mortgages. Will be in the Playa Dorado area. He has many more in the works. He has a large team here doing their due diligence on different idea, projects, developments.

If you’d like to meet the guys may I suggest you go to their “movie out nights” for the kids in different barrios on the North Coast on the week-ends. Yes, they do a great deal of charity and humanitarian work here also.

http://www.nochedecinegratis.com/lista-de-peliculas/

He is a believer in the North coast.

He has a name?

 

[jd426]

The reason alot of people dont leave an AI is because in most you can not just leave the hotel and go for a walk in a town like sosua. That is what my wife and I love about Casa Marina. Cheap package deal of air+hotel but we are not trapped in a hotel for a week. We leave everyday and spend money outside the hotel. Can't really do that in Punta Cana

In Fact, may I add that Canadians have stated that they take advantages of PACKAGES where sometimes the total Price is LESS than if they Purchased just the Airfare Separately,.
So how could they possibly refuse such an Offer, even if they ate EVERY SINGLE MEAL Outside the AI....
you cant lose.

 

[Seamonkey]

Probably more jobs ALREADY provided, as in NOW, AS WE SPEAK, than the number of jobs ACTUALLY lost due to the operating hours changing for businesses serving alcohol..

It's all Haitians working on the construction. About 20 of them. Didn't see one Dominican....only the motoconchos sitting out front.

 

[Seamonkey]

I was asking specifically about the Esplanade project. I'm still interested in what their targeted demographic and business model is?

I was hoping NY-DR Commuter would address this as he seems to have insider knowledge about this particular project. (Can't help but use another Trump analogy: Maybe it's going to be the "fittest" project in the history of the country?) (;-)

And I rode by there yesterday afternoon. Didn't appear to be any activity (construction or otherwise) going on?? Is there a timeline? I always have friends wanting to visit looking for recommendations.


The owner/investor of the Esplanade project are personal friends. The local commander came by and stopped the work till the proper permits are issued (read between the lines here). They are furious for they had a 125 man work force brought to a halt! The tourism minister gave them the go-ahead to start. You know how it works here.

They have a soft opening set for Jan 15. I have a $100.00 wager no-way!!!

Their market will be NY and yes a single/families mix. The owner runs a few properties here already and knows his clients.

The investor (this if just one of his many projects) is now working on low-income housing complex with DR banks mortgages. Will be in the Playa Dorado area. He has many more in the works. He has a large team here doing their due diligence on different idea, projects, developments.

If you’d like to meet the guys may I suggest you go to their “movie out nights” for the kids in different barrios on the North Coast on the week-ends. Yes, they do a great deal of charity and humanitarian work here also.

http://www.nochedecinegratis.com/lista-de-peliculas/

He is a believer in the North coast.

Hahahaha.....his team consists of 5 people. His manager who doesn't even speak Spanish had never been in the DR before, he's been here now for less than 3 months. This investor guy has been here for almost two years and has never closed one deal yet. The movie nights are free and run by a German guy. The low-income project is only talk at the moment. This got really funny all of a sudden.

 

[ctrob]

Hahahaha.....his team consists of 5 people. His manager who doesn't even speak Spanish had never been in the DR before, he's been here now for less than 3 months. This investor guy has been here for almost two years and has never closed one deal yet. The movie nights are free and run by a German guy. The low-income project is only talk at the moment. This got really funny all of a sudden.

Wow, almost sounds like you guys are talking about two different people.

 

[NY-DR Commuter]

It's all Haitians working on the construction. About 20 of them. Didn't see one Dominican....only the motoconchos sitting out front.

Construction has been halted since Sunday.

Yes there are many Haitians in the construction workforce, way more than 20. The total number of employees contracted to work on the project now is approximately 125 as posted above. All of whom are required to have their legal documents in order, allowing them to be employed here in the Dominican Republic, whether they are Haitain, Dominican, American, Canadian or any other nationality. This is a high profile project already drawing the attention of the many "authorities" who will be watching them very closely, thus the recent work stoppage.

And while yes, their are many Haitians, there are many Dominicans also. Inside the current complex one of the buildings is dedicated to support staff, construction managers, office manager, secretaries, payroll, engineering, architecture, design, etc. and throughout the project are wokers from the various trades, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, HVAC, etc. Like I stated before it is a big project, nine separate buildings plus a reception building, restaurant and employee building.

So perhaps YOU "didn't see one Dominican" while you were standing among the motoconchos, but I can assure you there are many.

 

[NY-DR Commuter]

i wonder where did this info come from. all national media wrote about danilo's visit in cabarete and sosua but i did not see the issue of upgrading sosua to a family destination of the list of issues discussed.
water, schools, roads and infrastructure in general? yes. squashing putas? no.

Danilo's visit was truly a surprise. Mayor Ilana Neumann was at the ayuntamiento office awaiting the arrival of a bus that will be used as transport for university students when she received the call to return to her home, as the president was on his way there. Raquel Sierra, "mayor" of Cabarete was on her way to a river with her family to enjoy her day off when she received the call to also meet at Ilana Neumann's home. Several other officials were attempted to be contacted including Vladimir Cespedes and Cesar Pe?a but were in other parts of the country.

After stopping in Cabarete the president's visit to Sos?a was directly to Ilana Neumann's home and was very informal and lasted about 15 minutes. In attendance were Ilana Neumann, Raquel Sierra, Lorenzo Sancasanni and some immediate family members. From the press was Edgar Tomas who was recording the event and also addressed several questions to the president, as well as security and support staff. The specific issue of "upgrading Sos?a to a family destination" was not discussed during the president's visit to Ilana's home.

 

[NY-DR Commuter]

Sos?a Municipal Council Meeting

Yesterday here in Sos?a there was a town council meeting, including mayor Ilana Neumann, the members of the town council (regidores) and some Sos?a residents. At that meeting many of the issues concerning Pedro Clisante were discussed and in a much more objective manner than during the ASOCOBAS meetings.

At one point during the meeting Ilana addressed the council, residents and the press, clearly stating how the order for the closing of Pedro Clisante came from Santo Domingo and the order to observe the legal closing hours of Decree 306-08 also came from Santo Domingo. She directly addressed and confronted those who are claiming that "she is responsible" for the reduced operating hours and street closings. Looking directly toward the press in attendance and the cameras focused on her, she emphatically stated that "it is a complete lie" that is being spread stating that she ordered the closures and reduced hours. She also explained that she does not have the authority to extend the hours beyond the legal operating hours of Decree 306-08 and that discussions with business owners and the government agencies who regulate and enforce these laws along with a committee from her office are currently taking place.

Regarding prostitution she made another statement, in the same clear and emphatic tone and manner she used when addressing the closing hour issue. She stated how "prostitution" "per se", is NOT the problem that the authorities are addressing, "after all it is legal and a woman should not be prohibited if that is her ultimate desire". It is the current manifestation of it and the disorderly atmosphere on and around Pedro Clisante and now expanding further away that is causing so much concern. She emphasized that a fair resolution to the problem is one of her greatest concerns even though many choose not to believe her.

It was a welcome change to see issues addressed in this manner instead of the grandstanding and pontificating going on at some of the "association" meetings. Not that there wasn't any at all, as one "regidor," Fabio Garcia of "Detras del Rumor" fame, is never at a loss for dramatic discourse.

Many video excerpts from the meeting are being presented on local television today and will probably continue tonight.

 

[Uzin]

So well described, even better than being there, hope what you have written for her was translated to Spanish so it's more "believable".

Because just about anything that goes on in this town, from closing/opening of the street, closing of bars, change of closing hours, chasing girls, you name it, has nothing to the with it's mayor. You wonder why does it need one... !

When going gets tough, it wasn't me.... (not going to do anything about it either).

 

[ramesses]

This thread shows what happens when you try to eliminate something that is perfectly legal. The puritans have the power.

 

[NY-DR Commuter]

So well described, even better than being there, hope what you have written for her was translated to Spanish so it's more "believable".

Thank you for the compliment.

Do you not believe she said what I quoted and paraphrased?

 

[ohmmmm]

So far what I hear about the Esplanade project is that it will work the wrong way and be a black eye on Sosua. The place has a poor location for a hotel if that is what they are trying to open. I don't hear that any of them have hotel experience. Building and real estate experience does not equate to hotel experience. I wish the best for this project and Sosua, but these guys got in way over their head. Just because they are trying to do good and have a few government people, Tourism and hangers-on pretending to be relevant that are encouraging them does not fill rooms at economic feasible levels. All the best Esplanade.

 

[cavok]

So far what I hear about the Esplanade project is that it will work the wrong way and be a black eye on Sosua. The place has a poor location for a hotel if that is what they are trying to open. I don't hear that any of them have hotel experience. Building and real estate experience does not equate to hotel experience. I wish the best for this project and Sosua, but these guys got in way over their head. Just because they are trying to do good and have a few government people, Tourism and hangers-on pretending to be relevant that are encouraging them does not fill rooms at economic feasible levels. All the best Esplanade.

La Esplanade was the first hotel(an AI back then)I stayed at here almost 20 years ago. It was kind of a creepy remote loction back then and still is today. Wouldn't want to be walking around that area at night. Shuttles to the beach might help, but I don't know why anyone would choose a location off the beach when there are so many right on the beach to choose from. Plus, once you get to the beach(if there's one still left), you have to rent beach chairs and pay for drinks/food - all of which would be free at an AI on the beach. I wish them luck - I think they're going to need it.

 

[j_d66]

Danilo's visit was truly a surprise. Mayor Ilana Neumann was at the ayuntamiento office awaiting the arrival of a bus that will be used as transport for university students when she received the call to return to her home, as the president was on his way there. Raquel Sierra, "mayor" of Cabarete was on her way to a river with her family to enjoy her day off when she received the call to also meet at Ilana Neumann's home. Several other officials were attempted to be contacted including Vladimir Cespedes and Cesar Pe?a but were in other parts of the country.

After stopping in Cabarete the president's visit to Sos?a was directly to Ilana Neumann's home and was very informal and lasted about 15 minutes. In attendance were Ilana Neumann, Raquel Sierra, Lorenzo Sancasanni and some immediate family members. From the press was Edgar Tomas who was recording the event and also addressed several questions to the president, as well as security and support staff. The specific issue of "upgrading Sos?a to a family destination" was not discussed during the president's visit to Ilana's home.

Yesterday here in Sos?a there was a town council meeting, including mayor Ilana Neumann, the members of the town council (regidores) and some Sos?a residents. At that meeting many of the issues concerning Pedro Clisante were discussed and in a much more objective manner than during the ASOCOBAS meetings.

At one point during the meeting Ilana addressed the council, residents and the press, clearly stating how the order for the closing of Pedro Clisante came from Santo Domingo and the order to observe the legal closing hours of Decree 306-08 also came from Santo Domingo. She directly addressed and confronted those who are claiming that "she is responsible" for the reduced operating hours and street closings. Looking directly toward the press in attendance and the cameras focused on her, she emphatically stated that "it is a complete lie" that is being spread stating that she ordered the closures and reduced hours. She also explained that she does not have the authority to extend the hours beyond the legal operating hours of Decree 306-08 and that discussions with business owners and the government agencies who regulate and enforce these laws along with a committee from her office are currently taking place.

Regarding prostitution she made another statement, in the same clear and emphatic tone and manner she used when addressing the closing hour issue. She stated how "prostitution" "per se", is NOT the problem that the authorities are addressing, "after all it is legal and a woman should not be prohibited if that is her ultimate desire". It is the current manifestation of it and the disorderly atmosphere on and around Pedro Clisante and now expanding further away that is causing so much concern. She emphasized that a fair resolution to the problem is one of her greatest concerns even though many choose not to believe her.

It was a welcome change to see issues addressed in this manner instead of the grandstanding and pontificating going on at some of the "association" meetings. Not that there wasn't any at all, as one "regidor," Fabio Garcia of "Detras del Rumor" fame, is never at a loss for dramatic discourse.

Many video excerpts from the meeting are being presented on local television today and will probably continue tonight.

You seem pretty well informed about what went on at these meetings as well as the issue at hand.
There is certainly many takes on the issues for sure and who might be responsible

Were you actually present at both of these meetings?
One would assume you were to have so much inside information to share.

 

[Uzin]

Thank you for the compliment.

Do you not believe she said what I quoted and paraphrased?

Sure I believe you, nicely paraphrased indeed - it almost looks like you wrote her speech for her in the first place !

But I don't believe she has nothing to do with all this goings on in Sosua...