President Luis Abinader, Tourism Minister David Collado and business sponsors met for the inauguration of the first phase of the Duarte Avenue and Paris commercial area. A privately-funded initiative has turned an eyesore shacks and chaos intersection into an attractive and organized popular shopping area. The solution is a plus for the Duarte Avenue with its many stores that attract thousands of bargain shoppers.
The construction and organization took six months.
After the ribbon-cutting, President Abinader said that the second and third stages will continue with more relocation of vendors in the Duarte shopping area. These phases would be ready by the end of next year and will be funded by the government.
National District Mayor Carolina Mejía, explained that in the second phase RD$415 million will be invested. Ligia Bonetti and Juan Vicini, leaders of the private investment in the project, were present for the inauguration.
Abinader said the solution is a joint achievement of the government, the Mayor’s Office of the National District and private business.
“Here vendors now have their own businesses and tourists will be able to walk through the bargain shopping area. This is a win-win situation and the good thing is that we have done it together,” said the President during a tour of the project where he was visibly excited to see the materialization of the initiative. Attractive artwork has enhanced the area that is protected by traffic overpasses.
In this first stage of the project, businesses provided RD$125 million to build 72 modules, new signage, storm drainage, underground cables and lighting, paving, sidewalks, and curbs. The first phase is open to the public but will be fully completed by March 2022.
Tourism Minister David Collado remarked the “Duarte con Paris” renewal follows those of the Malecon, Plazoleta Trinitaria, the Fray Antonde Montesinos Monument he committed to carry out as mayor of the National District and now as Minister of Tourism. Collado said he got the idea for the project when visiting Guayaquil, Ecuador and seeing how informal peddlers could become a city attraction.
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Listin Diario
17 December 2021