More than 70 percent of the businesses located in Plaza Santos Degollado remain closed. Only 50 of the 204 available spaces are open regularly; however, the neglect of this space is leading to low sales, laments Esteban Velázquez Campusano.
Despite calls to municipal authorities to address the situation, the tenants claim they have not received an effective response, which is why they are requesting the intervention of the state government.
“Sales have dropped significantly; I think this is true for everyone. Sales for us, the established businesses, have also seen a significant drop.”
Municipality partially addresses infrastructure demands
In addition to the lack of customers, the tenants face infrastructure problems, such as water leaks, the partially repaired floor is now failing, and other areas remain unmaintained.
More than four years ago, the merchants petitioned the city council, headed by José Luis Urióstegui, to reactivate the plaza and improve its image, but they have not received a satisfactory response. Therefore, they are calling on Governor Margarita González Saravia to come and see the plaza’s current condition.
We would like the governor to come and see the facilities. We don’t even know what to say to the city council anymore.”
Esteban Velázquez Campusano, merchant
Unfinished projects don’t solve the problem
Since 2022, the City Council announced a series of interventions at the site to improve the conditions for merchants and reactivate business; however, tenants claim that many of them were left unfinished.
May 2022: The City Council announces a plan to reactivate the Lido and Degollado squares. It detects flaws in drainage, sanitation, and painting. Despite a commitment to provide gradual maintenance at the site, this has not happened, according to merchants.
September 2023: The City Council announces an investment of 1.75 million pesos in rehabilitation works, which included waterproofing, sanitary repairs, and improvements to stormwater systems; to date, Santos Degollado Square continues to suffer from water leaks.
In December 2023, the municipality reported progress. 80 percent of these works have been completed. Reports include the replacement of downspouts, the repair of floors and metal curtains, and the general application of paint in the plaza. Today, the floors of Plaza Santos Degollado show damage.
Despite these interventions, merchants point out that the work was incomplete and problems persist, hindering the reopening of closed businesses and the influx of visitors. They urge the authorities to complete the pending works and develop strategies to promote the economic recovery of the plaza.
Source: oem
