Armed with shovels, hammers, and mallets, residents of condominiums located on Sábalo-Cerritos Avenue tore down three concrete block walls that obstructed free access to the beach in that area of Mazatlán.
The citizen action took place on Wednesday night on the street adjacent to a condominium tower, and despite the arrival of municipal authorities, no one was detained.
The neighbors argue that the passageway has no owner and has served as beach access for residents of the Cerritos area, tourists, and Mazatlán citizens for over 30 years.
They condemned the unilateral action taken by the directors of Pearl Tower condominiums, who obstructed access with walls without obtaining permits from the Mazatlán City Council or possessing a court order.
They pointed out that this is not the first time they have tried to take over that space, apparently to expand their parking area. The first attempt occurred approximately 10 years ago, with the most recent ones in 2023 and last Wednesday, September 4th.
The residents note that real estate growth has reduced the street, which currently measures 100 meters in length by 1.5 meters in width.
According to an information access request made by the condominium owners to the Directorate of Sustainable Urban Development Planning of the Mazatlán City Council, and whose response they received on October 25, 2022, the director at that time, Jorge Estavillo Kelly, confirmed that the access is not private and there is no public deed in favor of the municipality in their records.
The information adds that there is no cadastral key in favor of an individual; it only appears as Circunvalación Pórtico de Acceso Street, so it is considered a roadway.
The residents assured that they will maintain the legal defense of that space as beach access, to which citizens are entitled.
Source: Dabete
