Private builders feel the government should not construct luxury apartments. The president of the Asociación de Promotores y Constructores de Viviendas, José Rodríguez Cáceres told the Listín Diario that members of that builders’ association said there is a boom in the construction of luxury towers. Members of the association are building around 50 luxury towers throughout the city of Santo Domingo, most located in the Bella Vista, Avenida Anacaona, Naco and Piantini areas. These sell for RD$1.6 million to RD$15 million. "The government should be a facilitator, not a competitor," says the president of the private builders’ association. Diandino Peña has said the Plaza de la Salud apartments would be sold at cost to government employees, since the government does not seek to make a profit. Minister of Public Works Diandino Peña, who has defended the project that would be undertaken by a contractor chosen by him, was known for his Diandy luxury towers, prior to joining government. Earlier, he had worked with the department that supervises government construction in the Balaguer administration. He is known as a major financier of the Fernández presidential campaign.
