The futuristic, high-rise museum will take up between five and seven percent of the Mirador park. Its environmental integrity will be preserved, officials promise.
Guadalajara's Guggenheim will tower over the majestic Huentitan Canyon and overlook the planned Santiago Dam, if this polemic project ever sees the light of day.
Opponents of the museum criticized city councilors for handing over such a valuable piece of municipal land to a private consortium. City Hall estimates the donated land to be worth around 90 million dollars.
Both Guadalajara Mayor Alfonso Petersen and Jalisco Governor Emilio Gonzalez say they are committed to the museum, whose final cost could soar to more than 250 million dollars.
The promoters of the museum expect state and federal governments to provide some funding, but accept that the bulk of the financing will come from private sources.
According to a City Hall press release, a study shows that a Guggenheim Museum in Guadalajara will attract 803,000 visitors a year 53 percent of them Mexican citizens and 47 percent foreigners.