Joni Mitchell’s catchy tune keeps running through my head:
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot, with a pink hotel, a boutique and a swinging hot spot.
It’s been going on ever since the Chapala government turned most of the once-lush median strip in front of city hall into a sterile concrete platform. And the volume has been going up day by day as other projects to change the face of the town have come to light.
Is there a chorus building behind me? I hear people are starting to question the administration’s slogan “Rescatar para Transformar.” What exactly does our mayor intend to rescue, and what kind of transformation does he have in mind?
He says it’s all about accelerating the tourist trade and job creation. Skeptics cringe at the way things seem to be going, with the town’s main drag looking like a poor man’s Las Vegas strip and the new, improved Cristiania Park complex soon to be remade into a scaled-down replica of Disneyland, complete with lake museum and botanical garden.
They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum, then they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see ‘em.
The article in last week’s Reporter article explaining what’s on the drawing board has prompted plenty of buzz on the newspaper’s Facebook page. So far, more than 40 people have posted comments there. And interestingly, about one-third of came from Mexican readers.
The majority express dim views on the park makeover plan. Some put it succinctly with words such as monstrosity, ugly, tacky, horrible, ridiculous and yikes.
For many the project is plainly misguided, taking into account the community’s pressing needs for street and road improvements, sewage infrastructure and more efficient public services.
Others point out that a magnet to attract more visitors will only aggravate problems such as traffic congestion, deficient garbage collection and the proliferation of litter.
“They should focus on cleaning the lake,” one poster remarked. Another wrote, “How about the rest of the municipality that’s falling apart?”
Only two individuals made reference to potential benefits. “More tourism means more business for Chapala,” said one. “This will mean jobs for locals and they will have to build up the infrastructure,” noted the other. But both fear that those positive changes will likely translate into higher costs for goods and service.
One Mexican poster wondered, “How many inhabitants think this kind of investment will benefit the population … is a giant project like this what Chapala needs?” Another echoed, “I think there are priorities in Chapala and this isn’t one of the them.” An expat wrote, “Wish the folks in Chapala could vote on it!”
Questioned by reporters this week, Mayor Degollado said plans are all done, but he will take public opinion into account and consider modifications before any building gets started. Although he doesn’t have the greatest track record asking constituents to weigh in on public works before they get off the ground, voices appear to be rising.
“This will ruin the beauty and tranquility of the area,” wails one. “Adios Pueblo Mágico,” laments another.
Cross your fingers and sing:
Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot. Do-ba-ba-ba-bap. Do-ba-ba-ba-bap.