Major historic discovery in the Colonial City

[Dolores]

Plaza Billini / Zona Colonial

A contractor of renovation work in the Colonial City has been told to hold after digging to install new piping turned up what is believed to be the brick remains of a chapel that preceded the construction of the Santo Domingo Cathedral. The works have been paralyzed at Padre Billini between Hostos and 19 de Marzo streets. The area already had been off limits causing inconveniences to visitors and residents, but the pace of construction work is now halted.

Architect Juan Mubarak Perez, national director of Patrimonial Heritage, told DR1 News he has called the stop to works until the historic site is studied. This is a major finding for Dominican history and cultural heritage. Mubarak Perez said the finding was consulted with experts in Spain and an expert is expected to accompany Dominicans to define the find and its historic significance and how it...

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[MariaRubia]

The poor Colonial Zone. It's wonderful that they have found another historic site, but the way that they have been doing these works, closing pretty much every street for months on end but only working a bit at a time has pretty much wrecked all the businesses. The Conde at the Paco's end has almost no shops at all open now, apart from the supermarket the only things that survive are souvenir shops and the fast food places. I've heard that Cuesta is on it's knees and likely to close. And they are supposed to be completely ripping and and redoing the Conde probably they are waiting until high season to start this just to make sure that tourism is completely crucified.

 

[RG84]

The poor Colonial Zone. It's wonderful that they have found another historic site, but the way that they have been doing these works, closing pretty much every street for months on end but only working a bit at a time has pretty much wrecked all the businesses. The Conde at the Paco's end has almost no shops at all open now, apart from the supermarket the only things that survive are souvenir shops and the fast food places. I've heard that Cuesta is on it's knees and likely to close. And they are supposed to be completely ripping and and redoing the Conde probably they are waiting until high season to start this just to make sure that tourism is completely crucified.

I hope not, we need that store. The conde needs to redone. They have marked the street 3 times Its been so long you can't see the marks anymore

 

[MariaRubia]

The manager of another Cuesta, who used to be the manager of the Conde branch, mentioned to me that he thought it would close. Sales figures are evidently dire.

 

[AlterEgo]

And what happens with the owners of the building where this wall was discovered? Do they lose their investment to eminent domain?

 

[MariaRubia]

And what happens with the owners of the building where this wall was discovered? Do they lose their investment to eminent domain?

I get the impression the discovery is in the middle of the street. They have dug huge holes in each street so I presume it's in one of those

 

[MariaRubia]

The location is a bit vague because it spans two blocks. That's where the Billini Hotel and Parque Duarte are basically. Most of that area is owned by the Vicinis for their Casas del XVI lodgings.

 

[MariaRubia]

Come to think of it the construction of the Billini hotel was delayed for years as they discovered ancient remains. So it's not a shock that they have found more in the same street