The National Vehicle Retention Center (Cenarve), a project under the Ministry of Housing (Mived), has begun operations on the Santo Domingo bypass in West Santo Domingo. There are still ongoing constructions and furbishings going on at the site. This facility aims to replace the vehicle retention depot on Monumental Avenue, infamously known as El Coco Canodrome.
Listin Diario reports that in recent weeks, Cenarve has started housing impounded vehicles, alleviating overcrowding at other retention centers located on Independence Avenue, Villa Mella (La 28), La Victoria, and Marbella (Northeast Highway). These centers had absorbed the overflow from the Monumental Avenue facility.
Originally slated for completion in the last quarter of 2024, the project has been pushed back twice, now still aiming for an inauguration the first half of 2025. Listín Diario reporters observed ongoing construction, with engineers and heavy machinery leveling the grounds. Notably, impounded cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles were already present on the site, even though the center has not been officially inaugurated.
National Police spokesperson, Diego Pesqueira, confirmed the observations, stating: “They are already moving all the vehicles there,” referencing Cenarve’s intended purpose as a centralized vehicle retention facility.
The new center is designed to include a gas station, reception area, waiting room, cashier area, monitoring and security facilities, a dining hall, parking, vehicle storage, a scrap yard, and a workshop. It boasts parking capacity for 1,948 light vehicles, 1,601 motorcycles, and 20 tow trucks.
The Ministry of Housing says the efforts are now focused on furbishing and staffing.
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Listin Diario
26 March 2025