Around 35 million pesos will be spent by the end of this year to finish the second stage of a cultural project that encompasses 6.4 hectares of the park overlooking the majestic Huentitan Canyon. The work includes the auditorium, the entrance to the plaza and the museum’s basement.
The museum’s innovative design created by architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron’s is based on the Aztec calendar. Lorenza Dipp, president of Guadalajara Capital Cultural — the association which has promoted the museum for more than ten years — has described it as a flower sustained on pillars, floating rectangles and squares superimposed upon one another. Novel technology designed by Tlaquepaque artisans will be used in the construction process.
When finished the museum will house an auditorium, ten exhibition salons, a library, souvenir store, warehouses and parking for 260 vehicles. Most of the 300,000 expected visitors each year will be able to use modern public transportation (the Macrobus) to reach the park.
The museum is expected to create 800 new jobs, bring in 17 million dollars per year and help continue the revitalization of the northern part of the city. Dipp believes entrepreneurs will look to open hotels, restaurants and other services once the museum is up and running.
Guadalajara Capital Cultural has opened two foundations — one in San Antonio, Texas, the other in Chicago — to solicit donations for the project.
Parque Mirador is also to undergo a renovation. New bathrooms, playground infrastructure, a gym, ball courts and green areas will be updated and renewed. Some 1,800 trees will be planted in the park to replace those cut down in the construction area.