Neighborhood groups are protesting the construction of the Hard Rock Hotel in Santo Domingo, according to a report in Diario Libre. Residents associations from the the Piantini, Yolanda Morales, Paraiso, Naco and Seralles neighborhoods say that the construction violates several regulations and argue it will worsen the traffic situation. Furthermore, they say the casino that will form part of the hotel will have a negative impact on the local area by creating problems such as prostitution, drugs and violence. The hotel is being built on Abraham Lincoln Avenue at the corner with Andres Julio Aybar Street, but the residents say the construction has begun without the required permits.
The neighborhood groups said they are taking legal steps to oppose the casino’s construction.
Once completed, the hotel will be the country’s tallest building with 38 floors, of which six would consist of a shopping mall. It will also include a 2,300-square meter casino. City regulations establish a maximum height of 23 floors in this area according to National District Municipality resolution 94/98, reports Diario Libre. However, city government planning department director Narciso Guzman denied the limit is in violation of the rules.
Diario Libre says that as of March 2016, the Ministry of Hacienda’s casino department had not received the required documentation for granting the permits.
In an editorial in Diario Libre today, Tuesday 26 April 2016, managing editor Ines Aizpun writes: “How can we protect ourselves? Will this string of violations that makes the city increasingly uncomfortable, hostile, noisy and difficult, ever stop?
“Which candidates for Mayor have promised to revert some of these infractions? Who talks about urbanism, planning? Who has a plan that is not the same old propaganda? Who has presented a technical team that inspires respect and confidence? Hugging old ladies and children should not be enough.”
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/ciudad/proyecto-hard-rock-hotel–casino-en-la-lincoln-incumple-normativas-YE3464463
