real estate

Amador apartment sales spark investigation

Officials are questioning two proposed residential buildings in an area slated for tourism development.

The buildings are being advertised on the Internet with prices starting at $200,000.

David Mesa/La Prensa

a mess:Amador is supposed to be a hotbed of tourism development, but numerous problems in the area have arisen, prompting lawsuits and, now, an investigation into proposed residential projects.1069372

The Unidad Administrativa de Bienes Revertidos has initiated an investigation into the sale of apartments in an area in Amador that was supposed to be slated for tourism-related development.

In a letter, the entity has demanded that Las Brisas de Amador and Naos Harbour Island explain why apartments are being sold in those areas, when the concession is only intended to be short-term.

Investigators have copied notices appearing on the Internet, where the firms have been selling apartments in proposed buildings in those areas starting at $200,000.

Julio Ross, director of the Unidad, said that selling apartments in that area is prohibited.

He added that the concessions called for the development of projects such as hotels, restaurants and marinas. Amador, and in particular the area around the causeway, is looked at by the government as a prime place for tourism development.

However, there have been numerous problems with concessions granted by the government, especially with firms either not paying what they owe, or expanding or redefining the parameters.

Abraham Hasky, president of Las Brisas de Amador, stated that the promotional literature for his project clearly states that the government has not yet approved it.

“The effort we are making to beautify the country is costing us our soul,” he said. “Instead of helping us, [the government] is only delaying us.”

He added that the lack of government approval has made it difficult for him to get investors for the project.

The designs for both projects also exceed the permitted height for buildings in the Amador area. While the limit is six stories, both projects are designed to be between eight and 10 stories.

Gustavo García de Paredes, the former chairman of the Autoridad de la Región Interoceánica (ARI), said the restrictions on the concessions granted in the Amador area were included to prevent it from becoming like Punta Paitilla, a dense collection of high-rise buildings on the coastline.