Avenida Duarte: Then & Now

[NALs]

Roberto Salcedo, mayor of the National District (PLD), has been one of the best mayors the city of Santo Domingo has had since the city was founded over 500 years ago. Numerous projects that has improved the appearance of the city, and in many cases has created areas of recreation in impoverished parts of the city has been executed by him in the last few years.

Avenida Duarte has been the city's main budget shopping artery for decades. This avenue was the epitomy of urban decay, chaos, congestion, in short a Third World bazaar.

Salcedo took interest in reinventing this important artery and a few years later after the project was initiated, Avenida Duarte has a more refined appearance. These changes certainly brings a sense of dignity to the main lower class shopping street in the country.

Here are a few pics of Avenida Duarte then (before the transformation) and now.

Then:





Now:







On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1= Poor and 5= Excellent, rate Avenida Duarte's new look!

[Hipocrito Mejia]

Originally Posted by NALs

Roberto Salcedo, mayor of the National District (PLD), has been one of the best mayors the city of Santo Domingo has had since the city was founded over 500 years ago.

Salcedo has done an excellent job. The city has gone a long way during his time as mayor.

[arturo]

...but I will do it anyway. How much of a difference do you think you would see, and how much credit/blame would you give Salcedo, for a before and after photo comparison of barrios such as La Cienega, Cristo Rey, Gualey, Guachupita, Girasoles (alphabetical order, not in order of degree of blight)?

My point is that Roberto deserves credit for accomplishing things like Duarte/Benito on a scale few if any others in his position have - - but, for every one of those accomplishments like Alma Mater/C. Nicolas Penson/27 de febrero, there are 10 to 12 Ovando/Capotillo/Villa Agricolas. There are miles and miles to go before he sleeps...

[Tallman1818]

Salcedo defenitly the best major Santo Domingo ever had.

[Berzin]

What years were the before and after pictures taken?

[macocael]

Salcedo, by far, the best mayor we have had, and he really is working hard still to improve matters, but it is an enormous job and would take several such administrations over the years to accomplish everything. We need so much: trees!!! parks!!!! traffic regulation!! Pollution controls. Strict, very strict, enforcement of zoning regulations already on the books and legislation of more measures. Reduction of noise pollution. Renovation of the public markets mercado nuevo in particular. And of course the barrios, sheesh.

The fotos above are a bit deceptive because of the editing. Duarte is still a mess and the area is crime ridden. It is improving of course. The new chinatown at the one end gives it one anchor, but it needs another in the dilapidated north. Also, Parque Enriquillo, once and for all, needs to be reconstructed and opened.

Thanks NALS. .good topic

[bigbird]

Avenida Durate on July 1, 2008

[bigbird]

Photos taken July 1, 2008
The metal fencing around Parque Enriquillo






A sneak peak at the New Parque Enriquillo

[Yachtmaster]

Photos look good BigBird.

[sascha]

great photos bigbird...what a difference! i cant wait to check it out myself when im there this fall. nice work!!