If you follow Countdown to Mexico on Facebook you have seen some of what has been going on around town. Jumapam has been replacing many old and decayed water pipes in Centro and Paul and I are among those who have endured weeks of dirt and dust while the replacements were underway. Our block is finally done but the project continues all around Centro. My guess is it takes about three weeks in each area.
But in addition to the water pipe replacement there is also a huge project in Centro replacing many road surfaces with stone pavers. Along with the paver installation, many streets are losing parking spaces in favor of wider sidewalks. There is a lot of grumbling as people try to understand the City’s plan. Hopefully there is a plan for additional parking somewhere!
You may have heard that Mazatlan was awarded the huge Mexico Tourism Trade Fair next year called Tianguis Turistico. This takes place each year (usually in Acapulco or Puerto Vallarta) so it is understandable that the city wants to put its best foot forward. There is a huge push to clean the city and many of these kind of public works projects are part of the push to present a better Mazatlán. The project where thousands of palms were installed on the malecón has continued into the golden zone, giving the golden zone the same kind of dirt and dust we’ve been experiencing here in Centro. The palms are really beautiful, I love the change they make.
But it has now gotten pretty much insane here in Centro. Belisario Dominguez is closed at Angel Flores. Niños Heroes is closed from Angel Flores to Sixto Osuna. Mariano Escobedo is closed between Niños Heroes to the malecón and also over by Heriberto Frias. Benito Juarez is getting pavers, too… at least in the couple blocks by Constitución. Angel Flores by the hospital is closed entirely. And last but not least the malecón is closed from the Hotel Freeman to Constitución. It is crazy to drive, and even walking is insane, as you need to walk through piles of dirt and sand and dodge giant beeping equipment.
Unbelievably, the construction crews are efficient and pleasant and the work is proceeding about as fast as it can. At the top of this post is a picture of Belisario Dominguez at Angel Flores and you can see the first few rows of pavers are installed. By the way, the new Inn at Centro Historico is coming along beautifully – we saw them stocking the bar in the restaurant so it won’t be long.
The weather here in Mazatlán is still lovely and we are enjoying watching the transformation of the city take place. I’m all for making it prettier with better drainage so I just need to be patient I guess! More pictures follow.
Michael
April 28, 2017Infrastructure is good.
I found myself grumbling about traffic around downtown, then realized that I don’t have a car. So I just rode my mountain bike over clumps of dirt and considered it an urban adventure. Still. I shook my head about Ninos Heroes. Didn’t they just rip that up last year?
Again. I’m in no position to complain. I’ve split town!
I’m in the good place of being able to look forward to it all being done when I return (I hope!)
Saludos,
Michael
SandyM
April 28, 2017Oh my goodness…..thank you so much for the photos. It will be beautiful streets and sidewalks in the near future.
eric
April 28, 2017Very well done photo essay. It will be beautiful when it is completed.
Until then… dust, water cut-offs, and inconveniences… but in the long run, a very good thing!
Danielle
April 29, 2017They were doing Pedregoso and Campania when we were there… which is right where our rental house was located. It definitely made enjoying the rooftop terrace less than enjoyable, and also getting around. Between that and Carnaval, this year’s visit was a navigational challenge! But, all in all, we are very happy to see the improvements to our favourite place on earth and we know that it’s a good thing in the long run.
Thanks for the updates and the photos. Even with the mess, it made me ‘homesick’.
Beverley Kreutzer
April 29, 2017This year living in Centro and getting around has been a challenge but it should be great next fall and I so look forward to it.
We are leaving for a few months but can’t wait to see the final improvements in October (I hope!)
Thank you for the pictures…
Joan
April 29, 2017Wow…it will be so beautiful this fall when we all return!
Christine
April 29, 2017I think it will be beautiful when finished, but it would be nice to see something done to improve the Golden Zone in preparation for the Tiaguis Turistico. I would imagine that a majority of visitors during that event will be staying at hotels in the GZ. It is long overdue for a facelift and it saddens me that it is the first impression of Mazatlan that many visitors get. The palm trees are a start, but the buildings are in such a state of disrepair.
Amy
April 29, 2017Poor Mazatlan. Our lovely town goes through ghastly upheavals every year, it seems.
Steven Cotton
May 1, 2017Wow! It is going to look like a new town. I need to stop for another visit.
Sandra Loubet
May 18, 2017Thank you so much for the pictures and posts! I would like to know more about the water system when it was first put in as I hear my grandfather Alejandro Loubet was involved. Love your rooftop garden! One of these days I’d like to move there, I would love to grow exotic flowers and rescue parrots. Right now I just take care of dogs at a kennel I built. I love Maz so much. Can’t wait to go back.