metro

Coastal belt plan under fire

LA PRENSA

park place:The landscaping for the coastal belt project has been called "ridiculous" by an environmental group.1010830

The Ministerio de Obras Públicas (MOP) pledged that the coastal strip project would full of green space for people to enjoy ocean-side walks. But recently released landscaping plans show that less than 25 percent of the project will have vegetation.

The remaining area will have kiosks for retailers, picnic tables, public restrooms and paved squares.

"Now that we know the details of the project, it is clear that the government has taken advantage of people," said Lina Vega Abad, director of legal affairs for the Centro de Incidencia Ambiental (CIAM). "This is a questionable road project with some ridiculously small green areas with a lot of concrete around them. It is a lost opportunity."

Raisa Banfield, an architect with Alianza Pro Ciudad, was also critical of the project.

"The project was supposed to be a park with a street, not a highway with islands," the architect said.

But Banfield stopped short of criticizing the two architects that designed the landscaping scheme, who are also members of Alianza Pro Ciudad.

"The fact that the government has fast tracked this project has greatly decimated the theme of urban park," Banfield said.

Benjamin Colamarco, head of the MOP, defended the design of the project at an unveiling of the landscaping plan last week.

"There have been many promises," he said noting that the project has been talked about for more than 20 years. "We are transforming dreams into reality."

Of the project's $189.1 million cost, $3.4 million is being earmaked for landscaping. Public access to the area's green spaces will be through six pedestrian birdges.

The architects, Boris Aguilar and Alberto Arosemena, also defended the landscaping plan, touting the benefits of the recreation areas.

Vega Abad, however, wondered how many people would want to eat at the park's picnic benches, which will be located next to the Avenida Balboa expansion.