Residents of Ajijic have a history of grousing about the town getting short shrift from the municipal government, but as long-awaited renovations in the central plaza picked up steam this week, some folks are taking issue with decisions coming out of Chapala City Hall.
Two items that have raised eyebrows are the Corinthian-style cantera columns installed as finishing touches on the Ajijic plaza’s bandstand and the surprise removal of the stone fountain at the east end of the pedestrian Paseo del Arte at Calle Marcos Castellanos.
Mayor Javier Degollado has already taken some heat for two monuments that were torn down during the makeover of Chapala’s main drag, both created by local artists of renown. He says they will be reconstructed, without specifying where or when.
According to Public Works chief Rodrigo Paredes, the Ajijic fountain was to be relocated to a space outside the Rosario Chapel, fully refurbished to include dancing waters and colored lighting. However, the move was ditched after the mayor met with dissident community leaders Wednesday morning.
Acting town administrator Rafael Escamilla reports that a provisional consensus was reached to renovate the upper level on the plaza’s north side as an open esplanade for village events. The work would include moving iron park benches elsewhere and uprooting the ficus trees to be substituted with large pots of greenery. The fountain will likely be rebuilt in the waterfront park.
Degollado has agreed to call a public meeting to pitch his plans for town improvements. Date and time to be announced.