Sosúa Beach Renovations

[cavok]

600 million RD is just propaganda and makes it all look good
What actually gets spent in the actual construction of the Plaza or Plaza's will be a fraction of that

They announced a 400 million RD project to do essentially the same thing.
That announcement came in 2013

RD$400 Million For Sosua Beach Renovation?

From today's Sosua News: The Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia announced that for the restructuring of the bay of the resort town Sos?a the government has made four hundred million pesos available. According to Mayor Ilana Neumann of Sos?a good agreements have been made with all...

dr1.com

I am looking forward to the thread in 2033 that announces the new beach project. With inflation that project should be well over 1 billion RD

Maybe they will include a hospital with that project.

And just a year before Collado announced an $RD 600 million project to renovate the beach, Abinader announced a RD$350 million project to renovate the beach:

Abinader anuncia inversión RD$350 MM en reordenamiento de playa Sosúa

El ministro de Turismo David Collado aplaudió los esfuerzos que realiza el gobierno del presidente Abinader para la recuperación del turismo en ese sector

listindiario.com

 

[cavok]

They might be dragging their feet on purpose so to bleed out the die hard vendors. They (local gov) could also be looking at different ways to steal the money while moving at a snail's pace.

I think you could be on to something there. I bet some of that money is being spent on those ridiculously high curbs they're putting in which are probably way overpriced. Some contractors and local politicos will get rich off of those.

 

[ramesses]

I think you could be on to something there. I bet some of that money is being spent on those ridiculously high curbs they're putting in which are probably way overpriced. Some contractors and local politicos will get rich off of those.

The money will be gone long before the project is complete.

 

[windeguy]

That video only shows a small parcel of the actual land being re worked for that part of the project

This was his update 3 months ago

If this it the entire project then less they are only looking at a very small number of shacks that would be affected which leads one to believe there is more to it if they are going to remove all of the shacks. But the reality also is that there are more shacks there then are needed to service the customers that utilize the beach. All you really need is a few places and some waitstaff to bring it to you. Or perhaps a few mobile coolers working there way up and down the beach.


And seriously your surprised at how slow the progress is.
Remember this is the DR where nothing gets done quickly

Whatever eventually happens with this project will likely take years to complete if ever.

Just look up to the road behind this project. How long did that sidewalk from Charamicos to Sosua take. That little project was a multi year endeavor.

Nobody other than the government knows what is really going to happen hear.
But you can pretty much be assured that what the beach vendors think will happen and where it actually ends up will be 2 very different things

I think you are missing a HUGE point here. It is not about how the plazas take the space of the current shacks.

The idea is all of the shacks and businesses are going to be gone because they are all on either public or private land without permission.

If there is only one plaza eventually built , then there will be only one plaza and only a small number of businesses in that plaza. Only the shadow knows how it will all turn out. I won't be surprised no matter how long it takes or if it is not completed.

 

[william webster]

Playa Grande did it -- to the chagrin of many vendors

Reduced their numbers & moved them
They've never been happier

 

[j_d66]

I think you are missing a HUGE point here. It is not about how the plazas take the space of the current shacks.

The idea is all of the shacks and businesses are going to be gone because they are all on either public or private land without permission.

If there is only one plaza eventually built , then there will be only one plaza and only a small number of businesses in that plaza. Only the shadow knows how it will all turn out. I won't be surprised no matter how long it takes or if it is not completed.

So your take is that the shacks shouldn't be there in the first place so by doing a renovation project it will get rid of them

If they didn't want or think they should be there they would have just come in and bulldozed them just like they have done at other area beaches in the DR like the one just past Cabarete and others.

What I was saying is if the current area that is being worked is the only area of the project it doesn't infringe on 95% of the shacks that are there.

So there must be more to the project like perhaps something rather substantial in the middle where all the land is. Like perhaps hotel and/or condo space that would like the beach for themselves.

I am not going to theorize about it since I don't know what the real plan and neither does anyone else including the vendors who's lives are affected. Willie and a few other interested parties probably know as well as some within the government but that's about it. They been talking about this for 20 years at least and likely won't get completed anytime soon.

I actually go to that beach and am a patron to those vendors there. I like it how it is now. I probably will like it less with the proposed plazas but I likely will still go there or I will go to another beach instead if Playa Sosua no longer welcomes the public in the future. There are other beaches to go to.
But there is absolutely no doubt many if not most of those vendors will not be included in that new plaza but some might have a job there just like now.

At the end of the day why would you care about a place you say you haven't been to in along time anyway.

 

[cavok]

So your take is that the shacks shouldn't be there in the first place so by doing a renovation project it will get rid of them

If they didn't want or think they should be there they would have just come in and bulldozed them just like they have done at other area beaches in the DR like the one just past Cabarete and others.

Some of those shacks are on public land and some are on private land. The government would have no right or reason to bulldoze down shacks on private land unless the owner got a court order to have them removed. There's no evidence that was ever done in the past. The government values tourism, so there was no reason to bulldoze down those shacks on public land - until now.

What I was saying is if the current area that is being worked is the only area of the project it doesn't infringe on 95% of the shacks that are there.

So there must be more to the project like perhaps something rather substantial in the middle where all the land is. Like perhaps hotel and/or condo space that would like the beach for themselves.

This was all over the news. The owners donated two parcels of land to the government - one at each end of the beach. There have been plenty of rumors over the years of a luxury condo project being built there. I'd be willing to bet dollar to donuts that, in return for the donations, they were guaranteed a quick, hassle-free process for all permits and approvals, increased density, and possibly an exemption to build higher than standard towers, all the water, drainage, and power they need, and that all the shacks on public land would be removed. They are definitely getting something in return for their donation and the shacks will not be there.

 

[bachata]

Some of those shacks are on public land and some are on private land. The government would have no right or reason to bulldoze down shacks on private land unless the owner got a court order to have them removed. There's no evidence that was ever done in the past. The government values tourism, so there was no reason to bulldoze down those shacks on public land - until now.

This was all over the news. The owners donated two parcels of land to the government - one at each end of the beach. There have been plenty of rumors over the years of a luxury condo project being built there. I'd be willing to bet dollar to donuts that, in return for the donations, they were guaranteed a quick, hassle-free process for all permits and approvals, increased density, and possibly an exemption to build higher than standard towers, all the water, drainage, and power they need, and that all the shacks on public land would be removed. They are definitely getting something in return for their donation and the shacks will not be there.

Peso a Moriqueta! All will be given a new spot in the new plazas.

JJ

 

[windeguy]

So your take is that the shacks shouldn't be there in the first place so by doing a renovation project it will get rid of them

The shacks are there illegally. They are squatting on either government 60 meter public access land or on private land. Most are on public access land. There is no dispute as to their illegality.

If they didn't want or think they should be there they would have just come in and bulldozed them just like they have done at other area beaches in the DR like the one just past Cabarete and others.

That is what they should have done. For some reason, they did not do that yet.

What I was saying is if the current area that is being worked is the only area of the project it doesn't infringe on 95% of the shacks that are there.

So there must be more to the project like perhaps something rather substantial in the middle where all the land is. Like perhaps hotel and/or condo space that would like the beach for themselves.

The latest information from the DR government was that there would be three pavilions, one at each end and one near the middle. I have no idea if there will be more than the one pavilion they are working on. How much any new building immediately displaces current shacks is not the issue since all of the illegal shacks are supposed to be removed. The government originally had plans for only two plazas, but more recently announced the possibility of the third. The plans were published in local periodicals and mentioned in this thread. There were plans to renew Sosua beach before I ever came to the DR. Many never believed anything would be done and they were wrong.

I am not going to theorize about it since I don't know what the real plan and neither does anyone else including the vendors who's lives are affected. Willie and a few other interested parties probably know as well as some within the government but that's about it. They been talking about this for 20 years at least and likely won't get completed anytime soon.

What actually happens in the DR is anyone's guess. I only know what was published already.

I actually go to that beach and am a patron to those vendors there. I like it how it is now. I probably will like it less with the proposed plazas but I likely will still go there or I will go to another beach instead if Playa Sosua no longer welcomes the public in the future. There are other beaches to go to.
But there is absolutely no doubt many if not most of those vendors will not be included in that new plaza but some might have a job there just like now.

At the end of the day why would you care about a place you say you haven't been to in along time anyway.

I already mentioned that I "love the squalor and decrepit nature of the existing restaurants there so much" that I have gone to Sosua beach on average about once a year during the 20 years I have been in Cabarete. More often recently just to walk it and see what they were doing on the plaza where the work has been as slow as molasses in January.

I care because I hope I will go there more frequently after the run down businesses are gone. Playa Sosua will always be open to the public. How welcome that is will depend upon personal perspective on what is there in the future. I look forward to modern buildings and a parking lot. I hope that happens as planned. If I don't like it, I will continue to frequent Playa Caleton, Playa Magante and Play Rogelio as well as Cabarete.

 

[bachata]

That I can recall: since I was little always heard people to say... Cabarete es de Los Mocanos y Sosua de los Santiagueros...

This is the plan, build towers in Sosua beach for the rich Santiagueros

JJ

 

[windeguy]

A Some of those shacks are on public land and some are on private land. The government would have no right or reason to bulldoze down shacks on private land unless the owner got a court order to have them removed. There's no evidence that was ever done in the past. The government values tourism, so there was no reason to bulldoze down those shacks on public land - until now.

This was all over the news. The owners donated two parcels of land to the government - one at each end of the beach. There have been plenty of rumors over the years of a luxury condo project being built there. I'd be willing to bet dollar to donuts that, in return for the donations, they were guaranteed a quick, hassle-free process for all permits and approvals, increased density, and possibly an exemption to build higher than standard towers, all the water, drainage, and power they need, and that all the shacks on public land would be removed. They are definitely getting something in return for their donation and the shacks will not be there.

A reasonable guess as to the eventual outcome behind the beach on private land.

I understand, perhaps erroneously, that most of the shacks were on public land within 60 meters water mark. The ones going up the central path are probably on private land. The government could have easily removed the vast majority of shacks already for being on public land. They just decided to wait, and wait, and wait. And wait some more.

 

[cavok]

A reasonable guess as to the eventual outcome behind the beach on private land.

I understand, perhaps erroneously, that most of the shacks were on public land within 60 meters water mark. The ones going up the central path are probably on private land. The government could have easily removed the vast majority of shacks already for being on public land. They just decided to wait, and wait, and wait. And wait some more.

That would be my guess, too. Tourism is very important to the government, and no one was complaining, so they just ignored it - until now.

 

[jd426]

That I can recall: since I was little always heard people to say... Cabarete es de Los Mocanos y Sosua de los Santiagueros...

This is the plan, build towers in Sosua beach for the rich Santiagueros

JJ

that is my gut feeling as well.. they will break the ceiling on HEIGHT . Monstrous Hotel , possibly 10 or more floors High .. overlooking Sosua Beach.. they are going to SELL the view .. and it wont be cheap either . The Long delay may just be that they want to get the Architecture Right .. this will not be a Small Hotel Project .

 

[Big]

that is my gut feeling as well.. they will break the ceiling on HEIGHT . Monstrous Hotel , possibly 10 or more floors High .. overlooking Sosua Beach.. they are going to SELL the view .. and it wont be cheap either . The Long delay may just be that they want to get the Architecture Right .. this will not be a Small Hotel Project .

of course, they will be "chica friendly" hotels.

 

[cavok]

that is my gut feeling as well.. they will break the ceiling on HEIGHT . Monstrous Hotel , possibly 10 or more floors High .. overlooking Sosua Beach.. they are going to SELL the view .. and it wont be cheap either . The Long delay may just be that they want to get the Architecture Right .. this will not be a Small Hotel Project .

My bet is that they will be luxury condos.

 

[chico bill]

My bet is that they will be luxury condos.

Or a casino-hotel like Las Vegas

 

[CristoRey]

that is my gut feeling as well.. they will break the ceiling on HEIGHT . Monstrous Hotel , possibly 10 or more floors High .. overlooking Sosua Beach.. they are going to SELL the view .. and it wont be cheap either . The Long delay may just be that they want to get the Architecture Right .. this will not be a Small Hotel Project .

I've been thinking the exact same thing. Sosua Bay is one of the most beautiful under developed beaches in this part of the world and it's about a 20 minute drive from an international airport. I've zero doubt they have big plans for the entire property but unfortunately the beach shack vendors along with the atmosphere they managed to create (for better or worse) over the last 25 years or so...
will not be included in these plans.

Yea they may allow a few of them to move into the new plazas but I doubt the rents will be comparable to what they pay now which will eventually faze them out due the overall cost involved to run their businesses. I also expect the government to tack on additional cost of doing business so close to the ocean especially if a hotel or condos are built.

My advice to anyone who loves spending time along the Sosua beach is to enjoy it while it last as all good things in life come to an end at some point in time and I believe that time is near.

 

[cavok]

Or a casino-hotel like Las Vegas

Are casino oriented hotels a big attraction here? That casino in Cabarete reopened and it's a ghost town. Big money down the drain - again.

 

[jd426]

Are casino oriented hotels a big attraction here? That casino in Cabarete reopened and it's a ghost town. Big money down the drain - again.

I think he was being Sarcastic .. the Las Vegas part put it over the top. cuz there won't be any Neon Lights , period ,
and " Blue Ice, # 2 " will not be the Hotel Disco, although that would be very comical .
but maybe Chico Bill can elaborate

 

[windeguy]

They are so confused they will keep shutting up shop periodically to protest.

March 11, 2023​

Playa Sosúa​

It is still completely unclear what will happen to the beach of Sosúa. There was another protest march last Friday. There were protests against the privatization of the beach. People are also still waiting for the start of the construction of the three 'Plazas'. According to some, this will not happen at all and only one Plaza will be built. And then of course there is a stream of rumors about money that some have received to go ahead or not with the reconstruction of the beach. It all remains unclear what the future will bring.​

Playa Sosúa​