The question is "How long will it take"??
We've watched the community 'disappear' due to the changes and while the changes are welcomed until the infrastructure is added you can build all the condos there is space for and the community will NOT become 'permanently' settled or even 'semi-permanently' settled.
Yes JD is better than the north coast IMHO (at least PP,Sosua area which I am familiar with) and I know many people who used to come yearly (10-15yrs) to those areas who no longer come to the island at all.
I also have met many people who were enchanted with our area but now can't wait to sell their places and find greener pastures as they don't like what's happening, not to mention the much higher costs of staying in the DR.
With the real estate situation in Florida at present many people have opted to purchase there again as the cost of property and living has once again become more affordable in the southern US.
We had friends stay three months this past winter, and while they loved their time here, they are NOT coming back this year! Venezuela is much more appealing to them (they were there the year before) so positive changes MUST take place for the island to recover.
As for the dengue/leptopirosis problems of late, much of that is due to the recent heavy rains and also people not knowing they should wash cans (I do so even in Canada and the States because those cans sit in warehouses where rats are know to frequent-show me a warehouse and I'll show you rats!!
) or take precautions against mosquitos. Dominicans are notorious for throwing trash everywhere and many of those collect water when it rains and breed mosquitos.
Then there is the problem of the stagnant lagoon where Aquqbella is to be built. We've contacted the gov't agencies responsible several times but no action has been taken and I'm being eaten alive in my house even with screens,sprays,body spray, Baygon Plaquetas etc.
Yes I have had dengue!!!! and I almost died!! It took me almost a year to recover and I had it during the time when there were lots of resorts in the area that sprayed regularly to control the mosquito population!! Those resorts no longer exist.....so......
I again re-iterate.....until the infastructure (including policing to the level it USED to be) is in place JD will continue it's downward plight and hopefully some of the remaining restaurants/bars will be able to weather the storm!