The temporary closure of Calle Morelos over the past two weekends has generated inconveniences, complaints and opposing views concerning the operation of the Andador Axixic, a series of pedestrian-friendly outdoor dining and shopping festivals put together by local merchants with the apparent consent of the municipal government.
Since May 14, the two-block stretch of Ajijic’s main north-south artery has been blocked off to traffic at the corners of Calle Constitución-Ocampo and 16 de Septiembre-Independencia between midday Friday and late Sunday night, allowing restaurateurs and shop keepers to offer hospitality services and merchandise to foot customers.
“The concept is modeled after street fairs held in San Miguel de Allende and other tourist destinations here and abroad,” explained Chapala councilman Juan Carlos Pelayo, a key Andador proponent. He firmly believes the project will become a big draw for both weekend visitors and local residents, translating into a boost in business revenues and employment opportunities.
Not everyone in the village shares his assessment. Some inhabitants have lodged written and verbal complaints with the town’s Delegation office, as well as the municipality’s regulations and markets agencies, citing weekend traffic snarls provoked by the street closure and unfair competition for other local enterprises as their principal objections.
Others gripe that the Andador was launched with half-baked planning that has brought about more problems than perks.
“This is an example of taking a great project and utterly spoiling it,” remarked Sofia Marquez, couturier and proprietress of the Fiaga clothing store. “I fully supported the first street fair organized by Emmanuel Medeles, Chapala’s previous culture director. It encompassed art exhibits, musical entertainment and workshops for children along with the commercial activities. The new version is not inclusive, profiting only a few businesses without wider benefits for the community at large.”
Pelayo vows that the Andador is operating as a four-week pilot project based on a trial run during the Easter holidays. An evaluation of results will determine whatever fine tuning is required to suit everyone.
Chapala City Hall inspectors came close to canceling the fair just as several businesses started setting up on May 13. None of the interested parties were able to produce written permits for occupying the streets and the inspectors were never advised of a verbal authorization from the top of the chain of command.
Since then Mayor Javier Degollado has repeatedly flip-flopped on the issue. Getting wind of initial complaints over the first weekend he announced the project would be suspended until further notice. By Friday he reversed course, giving the go-ahead for a repeat May 20 through 22. When more strident citizen objections erupted over those days, he backtracked, again putting the fair on hold.
At last report, he indicated that the full four-week trial would proceed as planned, although continuation on future dates would be contingent upon a public opinion survey to gauge community support and determine appropriate adjustments.