Colonial City: David Collado confirms full delivery of works by December
The Minister of Tourism, David Collado, announced that the ambitious transformation of the Colonial City will conclude in December of this year. This comprehensive project includes the rehabilitation of streets, sidewalks, curbs, the undergrounding of electrical wiring, and the restoration of roofs, marking a milestone in the preservation of Dominican historical heritage.
The announcement was made during the handover ceremony of the renovated Diego Colón Viceroy Palace Museum. As the official explained, this initiative is being carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Culture and the National District City Council, with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
A thorough and necessary process
Collado acknowledged that the interventions have caused temporary inconveniences for residents and merchants in the area. However, he emphasized that the historical nature of the site requires special care: every archaeological discovery forces work to be paused to conduct the corresponding analyses, thus ensuring the protection of the historical remains found.
We do not want a Cartagena de Indias that at night is a ghost town; we want those who live in the Colonial City to stay in the Colonial City.
David Collado, Minister of Tourism
Project scope and revitalization
The Ministry of Tourism has allocated an investment of RD$400 million for key interventions, among which the following stand out:
- The recovery of the iconic Puerta de la Misericordia.
- The renovation of 13 historic churches.
- The restoration of the facade of the Pantheon of the Fatherland.
- The rehabilitation of more than 100 dilapidated homes, with a final goal of 140 units.
- The beautification of more than 130 facades.
Impact on tourism and the local economy
Beyond the infrastructure, the project seeks to boost the local economy. Collado highlighted the implementation of non-reimbursable funds and support programs aimed at small entrepreneurs and merchants in the area, with the firm objective of maintaining the residential vitality of the sector.
The results are already visible in the influx of visitors. According to official statistics, tourist interest in the Colonial City has doubled: while at the beginning of the works barely 7% of the tourists visiting the country approached the area, by the month of August that figure rose to 14%, maintaining a constant average of 13.5% so far this year.
