Asked for their views on the controversial Lake City megaproject, Chapala’s leading mayoral candidates are sitting on the fence, being cautious not to take a firm posture until they can take a look at the fully finished plan to weigh in on all the pros and cons. None, however, has expressed outright rejection of the proposal.
Questioned at an April 20 press conference, PRI-PVEM candidate Javier Degollado commented, “Our first concern is to encourage investments that satisfy the need for greater employment. Technical experts should be the ones to opine on potential risks and ecological damages. I’m not familiar with the project and I am not an expert.” While reserving final judgment for the moment, Degollado hinted at suspicions about the promoters, noting “Spaniards have a history as predators on the Mayan coast.”
Moises Anaya, contender for Movimiento Ciudadano, echoed his political rival’s words, stating, “We’re looking into the project. It’s possible, provided it complies with all requirements. The worst that could happen would be to lose out on something that could mark a turning point in attracting new private investments. Chapala urgently needs more employment opportunities.” Anaya considered the inclusion of a convention center a big plus. “Chapala has lost out on hosting some major events because we don’t have an adequate venue.”
Although he has not yet given a formal statement on his stance, PAN candidate Juan Carlos Pelayo told the Reporter that he is likewise keen to have a look at the detailed executive project to put into balance whether construction of the huge condo apartment and villa complex would be of benefit or detriment to the community.
Architect weighs in
Meeting with the local media on April 22, Gustavo Rivera Mendoza, spokesman for the Chapala branch of the Jalisco Colegio de Arquitectos, maintained a neutral position, again on the premise that the nuts and bolts of the project have yet to be revealed.
Mentioning that the architects’ association first got wind of Lake City through the Guadalajara Reporter and later followed stories appearing in local Spanish weeklies, he said, “It would be irresponsible to draw conclusions based solely on media reports. We will obtain existing documents through official public information transparency channels.”
Rivera said the Colegio is setting up a special commission dedicated to emitting technical opinions and follow-up on such high-impact projects. He stressed that the organization’s intent is not to hinder progress and development, but rather act in an advisory capacity to encourage orderly and congruent urban growth. “We have a responsibility to raise the awareness of government authorities and the public, and to act as advocates for both.”
Rivera is a titled architect holding a master’s degree in urban planning. In a personal perspective on urban growth in the lakeshore region, he expressed concern that municipal officials across the board seem to take little interest in long-term strategic planning to be prepared for decision-making on large-scale private sector development endeavors.
In the specific case of preliminary plans for Lake City, Rivera underlined that Chapala does not yet have a regulatory building code that sets height limits on new structures. Under the municipality’s existing urban development plans, the number of stories permitted is determined by following the land use and land occupation coefficients established in Jalisco’s Codigo Urbano and complementary regulations, which allows for dense occupancy high-rise buildings if the land area is of sufficient size.