President Leonel Fernandez has submitted the contract for the construction, development, exploitation and operation of the Novo Mundo XXI tourist project off the shore of Santo Domingo to the Senate. Diario Libre reports that the artificial island contract was signed on 15 June 2005 by the Ministry of Public Works and Santo Domingo Re-Development, Ltd., represented by Eulogio Jose Santaella Ulloa. The project proposes the extension of the city of Santo Domingo towards the sea, from Winston Churchill Avenue to the breakwater near the obelisk on the corner of Angel Guerrero and George Washington Avenue. According to the contract, the State will receive payment for the authorization, transfer and concession of land and will also receive 5% of the sale price of land suitable for building not assigned to public use. The land extension will be no less than one million square meters. The proposal includes the treatment of pollution from the Ozama River and the regeneration of parts of the bay to maintain water quality. Also, wastewaters that currently drain into the sea will be sent underground. A new road will join the island with the southern part of Santo Domingo. Also projected are the filling and development of the Malecon coastline, 68 million cubic meters of dredging, 9 kilometers of covering, a breakwater, an industrial zone, a multiple-use port and loading area.
El Caribe reports that the project has an estimated cost of US$450 million and could be placed on the agenda for discussion in the Senate next Tuesday. A large portion of public opinion such as environmental organizations, urban planners, architects, and landscapers have opposed the creation of this artificial island.