La Sirena in Puerto Plata

[J D Sauser]

Originally Posted by margaret

As much as I love shopping, when has a Wallmart ever added to beauty of the urban environment? Does anyone have pictures of the architectural drawing of the proposed development? Will it be mixed used or just a big box and parking lot that hollows out the existing retail area as it has in so many areas of NA?

"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot." ~ Joni Mitchell

While I agree that the Wallmart color scheme and architectural design of their stores has failed to fascinate me so far, I must say that I have yet not seen a single Wallmart sign in the DR. Sirena, who ever owns or operates it at the current time, is still Sirena.
No space for US sized parking lot here either. I hope they have planned for a solution in the particular case of the one being built here in Puerto Plata... I have yet to see the plans submitted (but I am trying but submitted plans at the town hall offices are not quite as public as in other countries.)

... J-D.

[margaret]

Originally Posted by J D Sauser

While I agree that the Wallmart color scheme and architectural design of their stores has failed to fascinate me so far, I must say that I have yet not seen a single Wallmart sign in the DR. Sirena, who ever owns or operates it at the current time, is still Sirena.
No space for US sized parking lot here either. I hope they have planned for a solution in the particular case of the one being built here in Puerto Plata... I have yet to see the plans submitted (but I am trying but submitted plans at the town hall offices are not quite as public as in other countries.)

... J-D.

Regarding publicity, I don't see anything on Grupo Ramos web site either.

Tienda La Sirena Online

It might be wonderful if it combines smaller retailer spaces, some community space and landscaping etc. and even some residential housing. How big an area are they taking over?

Of course it will be great if they carry marmite, beige hair elastics etc.

Margaret - mule for the expats

[margaret]

It will create some jobs outside of tourism and hopefully we'll see more manufacturing in the DR as a result. I'm trying to be positive.

[J D Sauser]

Originally Posted by margaret

... How big an area are they taking over?...

The plot may be about 24'000 square meters (give or take 10%) from what I've been able to estimate from drawings I have seen so far.

24'000 square meters are just about something shy of 6 acres.

If you are using google earth.com you can copy and paste below coordinates into the "Fly to"-window and click the eyeglass to see the property (still shown in it's initial state):

19°47'43.58"N, 70°41'4.68"W

... J-D.

[J D Sauser]

sorry dbl post

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by margaret

How big an area are they taking over?

Pic here
sacandomelao: AsÃ* van los trabajos de la Sirena en el Malecón

It says 10,000 sq. metres +. Anyone for sandcastles?

[J D Sauser]

Originally Posted by Lambada

Pic here
sacandomelao: AsÃ* van los trabajos de la Sirena en el Malecón

It says 10,000 sq. metres +. Anyone for sandcastles?

Originally Posted by acandomelao.blogspot.com

... en los más de 10,000 metros

Yes, they are absolutely right! it could be more than 10'000 m2.

Actually I went over the whole thing again and did some, still "sketchy" measurements on google earth and I actually think it could be less than what I initially posted it could be... maybe closer to 20'000 m2 (about 5 acres?)... más o menos.

... J-D.

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by J D Sauser

I have yet to see the plans submitted (but I am trying but submitted plans at the town hall offices are not quite as public as in other countries.) ... J-D.

Funny you should mention 'plans'..............

Puerto Plata Digital

Tourism issued a cease order because the plans have been.........adjusted.

[J D Sauser]

Originally Posted by Lambada

Funny you should mention 'plans'..............

Puerto Plata Digital

Tourism issued a cease order because the plans have been.........adjusted.

The Puerto Plata has NO plans of the project. I went twice and while the office tries to kind'a not look stupid about it... that's what it boils down to... not just that they wouldn't want to show them... they don't have them. Other sources have confirmed that to me too.
So I think there is and will be a lot of rumors and stuff going on. Glasnost is most obviously not yet a locally recognized Spanish word.
But no, it's not at a halt at all (at least until half a hour ago it wasn't).
The digging has slowed down quite a bit in the last 15 days but they are getting close to leveling the plot so they have to proceed with caution.
I know, I promised pictures but shots taken from the streets don't show much progress except for the old house having met it's faith and a "little" 2 story plywood house for guards and probably also designed to double as engineer's on-site "office" having been erected at the NE corner of the property.

... J-D.

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by J D Sauser

The Puerto Plata has NO plans of the project. I went twice and while the office tries to kind'a not look stupid about it... that's what it boils down to... not just that they wouldn't want to show them... they don't have them. Other sources have confirmed that to me too.

So no plans AND they ignored the 'stop' order? That's an auspicious start, isn't it? No wonder Sub Sec of Tourism is dischuffed.......