tom42

I just read on another thread that the Malecon was undergoing construction and renovation. I recently booked a trip to PV for April 2012 and was hoping that the PV experts here (Suze, Cabron, et al) would have some information about the status of the project. Is it expected to be done by next April? I've been to PV once before and really enjoyed walking down the Malecon in the evenings. Will I still be able to do this? Thanks!

tom42

Well a little googling and I see that the new Malecon opened up this month. It looks really nice.

cabron

Pretty well all done. The modern looking lighting they installed was totally inadequate ( wonder who's relative got that contract?) they have added additional floodlights now. Also no traffic - so far.

tom42

So what do you make of it cabron? Is it appreciably better? I was there a few years ago and thought it was pretty nice the way it was.

tenthumbs

I'd like to know the answer to that one as well.....I'm going in February.

suze

I saw a rendering in the newspaper of the plan-to-be when I was down in May. The main idea seemed to be eliminating the one street of traffic that ran between the Malecon and the first row of shops. Leveling things out into more of a wider plaza.

I haven't seen it completed in person, but I'm going to predict the new Malecon isn't going to change an overall experience in PV one way or the other. It's still the same general idea. Just spruced up a bit.

suze

To me the most positive Malecon change was awhile ago, when they extended it over the Rio Cuale, so now you can walk to Centro from the South-side along the water the whole way instead of on the busy streets.

cabron

It's pretty pleasant, but IMO it was not necessary, there's always a major public works project as the mayor gets to the end of his term (re-election is not allowed)
With the last mayor it was turning two parks into parking garages. These are all done without any public notice, starting typically at 2am, and presumable money changes hand with the winners of the contracts.
I would rather the money had been spent on the garbage collection, which used to be every day and is now reduced to 3 days a week.

suze

I absolutely agree with the "not necessary" statement. Interesting the insider politics. Those parking garage under the park projects were strange also for sure.

tom42

maybe not necessary but I like the idea of making it completely pedestrian.

suze

But what about all the heavy traffic that used to use that street? Where are ALL those cars going to be redirected to get thru Centro?

Stewbear

I'll reserve comet until I see it. I do agree with others the best thing they did was the Extension over the river. A nice walk.

ladygogo

It was indeed not necessary- but it happened none the less. It looks nice but traffic will be horrible even when the second tunnel opens. It for sure needs better lighting- but there are many more trees.

cabron

They made Morelos two lanes, no street parking, they would have to use the parking "Parks", nudge, nudge, wink, wink

tenthumbs

Just got back, and I liked the re-done Malecon........it seemed much less crowded.

tom42

hey tenthumbs - did you have a good time? I leave for PV two weeks from Thursday. can't wait.

suze

lucky you (all)... cabron, tenthumbs, tom42. i'm so missing my PV fix right now.

tom42

wow, I must really be anxious to go - just read my previous post - don't know where two weeks came from. I leave in four weeks. Suze - I'll have a cerveza or two in your honor!

tenthumbs

tom~I did have a good time! The weather was a bit cooler than usual, a few overcast days, but no rain. We did the blue-hair bus tour to San Sebastian (thru Vallarta Adventures) and liked it. San Sebastian is a cute little town with cobblestone streets. We had lunch there, and the fresh hand-made tortillas were the best I've ever had!