From the Sidelines

A recent report in La Prensa went into great detail about the deteriorating state of the Cinta Costera, which is something we can see for ourselves on a daily basis.

The unwatered grass, trees and shrubs damaged or dying, littered with garbage , lights not working at night because of vandalism to a fuse box, and left unrepaired for weeks, only one toilet working on the whole length of the strip, and infrastructure problems including non functioning fountains. 

The strip was built by Oderbrecht, at a cost of $389 million dollars. Among the “amenities” they provided were cutesy refuse containers about the size of a woman’s handbag. Not that it mattered that much, as it’s easier to throw you garbage on the ground.

Oderbrecht, was handed a contract for an extension costing an extra $50 million or so. It is on the short list for building the metro train system.
So, what was touted as a new lung for the city, is a mess.
No one seems to be responsible for it.
The city’s Mayor, Bosco Vallarino set the coastal trip up  for the first acts of vandalism with his abortive Christmas charade, using up a million dollars of tax payers money in his endeavors to get into the Guiness Book of Records.
The state had to bail out the city to cover the costs of the damage. The mayor had other plans to damage the parkland, a giant screen for sports events, stands for concerts, a pool
Enter two knights on white chargers.
Legislators José Blandón Figueroa and Luis Eduardo Quirós have submitted a draft bill to the National Assembly that would create a board that would oversee the Cinta Costera.
Great idea.
But here's the rub. 
The board would be chaired by none other than the Black Knight Bosco Vallarino . The man currently unable to exert damage control, and who seems to visualize the strip as a giant Coney Island, complete with a searchlight disguised as an advertising bill board at the Paitilla end.
The committee would include representatives from both the public and private sector. It would be in charge of maintaining the recreation areas as well as scheduling events there.
Bu will the mayor retain the power to hand out permits for noise fests and monster advertising boards to illuminate his Coney Island?
The initiative was developed on the basis of the parameters used in the law that created the board that oversees the Metropolitan Park.
Isn’t that the law authorities are currently trying to circumvent  to lay down  12 hectares of concrete to build a police headquarters in a protected area?
The White Knights need to formulate their plan very carefully. {jathumbnail off}