The U.S. State Department has purchased a plot of land in Guadalajara’s Colonia Monraz upon which a new U.S. Consulate General is expected to be built.
Although the planned development has been mentioned in a few Spanish-language news reports over past weeks, Consulate officials only confirmed the purchase to the Reporter this week.
Consulate staff did not provide any further information at this moment, but Spanish-language daily Mural has published details from municipal sources about the site, which occupies a sizable space bordered by four streets: Manuel Acuña, Aztecas, Apaches and Acolhúas.
According to Mural, a majority of residents of two neighborhood associations have agreed to allow the consulate to locate in their colonia, even though zoning regulations do not permit this kind of edifice.
It appears residents preferred the prospect of having the diplomatic mission as a neighbor rather than high-rise apartment towers, which would have been permitted under current zoning laws.
Guadalajara Mayor Enrique Alfaro told Mural that the U.S. government has agreed to meet obligations regarding parking, vigilance and the maintenance of green spaces in and around the new building.
Exactly how the facility’s operation will affect this middle-class zone will become clearer over time, but municipal sources say people will not be allowed to congregate on neighborhood sidewalks, nor will businesses be allowed to operate in the vicinity. The area around the current U.S. Consulate at Lopez Cotilla/Progreso is a hive of activity during working hours, and various nearby businesses offer photocopying and other services.
Alfaro said he has been informed by consulate officials that construction of the new diplomatic mission will take an estimated three years.
The new consulate will be catty-corner to the Superama (Walmart) store at the Manuel Acuña and Aztecs glorieta, and three blocks from St. Mark’s Anglican Church and the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (UAG) Medical School (Instituto de Ciencias Biologicas).