Paseo Colon, the main artery that runs through the heart of San Jose, Costa Rica, will be the focal point for an urban renewal project planned by the Municipality of San Jose. New plans for the street include European-style terraces and cafes with outdoor seating, trees, old fashion lamp posts, improved sidewalks and new building facades.

Costa Rica News — San Jose Sidewalks Need Repair

The Municipality said it will spend up to $200,000 to complete the project, which is expected to run from 24th to 42nd street. It is hoped that some of this money will be raised through a special fund created to support the project.

The Mayor of San Jose, Johnny Araya, recently announced the project as part of his greater plan to beautify the city, in large part to attract more tourism to the country capital. Those in charge of the project are still in the brainstorming stages, and won’t meet with the current proprietors and renters along Paseo Colon until next year to discuss renovation ideas.

Right now the street has several fast food restaurants, rental car agencies, banks, hotels, gas stations, grocery stores, a university and a night club. The sidewalks are cracked, littered and uneven and the traffic and pollution are excessive. The project coordinators intend to renovate many of the abandoned buildings and vacant lots to make room for new stores, bars, restaurants and cafes.

Local business owners say that in order for the project to be successful, security must be increased in the zone as outdoor tables, chairs and decorations are susceptible to vandalizing and theft.

The province of Puntarenas has also announced that it will be investing to remodel certain sites to attract more tourism. About $8 million will be spent on urban renovations and improving infrastructure to increase access to the region by land and sea.

A large sum of the money will be paid to the Caldera Port Society which operates the town’s major port through a government concession. Money will also be used to remodel the old Capitania building, repair the port used by cruise ships, construct a tree-lined bike path and sidewalk from Barranca to La Angostura, and build a boulevard and fair ground in Esparza.

Final touches to the project would include revamping the railroad and the construction of several piers and jetties so that tourists and locals alike can enjoy the views of the Golf of Nicoya.

Playas del Coco will also receive a $385,000 investment by the Municipality of Carillo to construct a Boardwalk along the beachfront, which will include showers, bathroom facilities, beach access and water fountains.

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Filed under: Costa Rica News on November 7th, 2007