Chapala’s 2012-2015 administration goes out of office next week, leaving behind several high-impact public works and a variety of pre-approved projects for incoming mayor Javier Degollado.
Major projects carried out during Joaquin Huerta’s final year in office include the first stage of rehabilitation of Avenida Gonzalez Gallo, with a 25-million-peso price tag for new underground water, sewage and utility infrastructure and resurfacing with cobblestones set in cement; restoration of the former town hall as a cultural center, at a cost of 10 million pesos; the remodeling of the Chapala Plaza de Armas, for more than three million pesos; and construction of the Community Development Center in the Plaza de Toros neighborhood, built for about 2.3 million pesos. In addition, street surface and underground water system upgrades took place at a dozen locations throughout the municipality.
Plans for the following projects have already been submitted and approved by state and federal agencies that will shoulder the bulk of the funding: construction of a lakefront malecón and new recreational facilities at Cristiania Park; completion of the Ajijic plaza renovations; additional lighting and trash bins for Chapala’s plaza; full rehabilitation of the San Antonio plaza; enhancement of sports and recreational areas at the Plaza de Toros Unidad Deportiva; furnishing, equipment and start-up money for training programs at the adjacent community center; and dredging of the Chapala waterfront, with improvements for the pier.