Risk persists in Mérida downtown properties due to abandonment

The abandoned and semi-dilapidated houses of the neighborhoods of Santa Ana and La Mejorada are a thing of the past as a large part of them has already been remodeled, and some others are still in the process but there are still “buried treasures” waiting for someone to save them, we are talking about big houses in Centro which are “hibernating” waiting for someone to rescue them … or to simply fall apart.

Recently, the City of Mérida suspended the works that were irregularly made in the property number 468-B on Calle 51 between 52 and 54, Centro.

During a tour of the area it could be observed that only on Calle 51, where the property which demolition was suspended, there are 67 properties, in a stretch of three blocks.

Out of these 67 properties, 55 are homes, there is an uninhabited house, one more is for sale, another one is being remedeled, there are two hotels, three offices, a motorcycle service workshop and two shops.

90% or more of the facades are in good condition, renovated, with new paint and a unique detail: trees on the sidewalks, which gives a special feature to the streets and the houses that are located there.

This is thanks to the works of the “Permanent Facade Rescue Program” implemented by the City Hall. A total of 89 facades have been restored between the Plaza Grande and Santa Lucía.

At present, in a second stage, 228 properties are being repaired from Santa Lucia to Santa Ana on Calle 60 and Calle 62, and in Santa Ana from 58 to 61.

In order to “revive” these properties it is important to highlight the work done by the many foreigners who have adopted Mérida as their new home, and especially its Historic Center as their new place of residence. These houses are distinguished by the details and good taste in decoration, the names they give to the properties and the roofs they use as gardens and terraces.

Although the area is little by little transformed into a ring that surrounds the Plaza Grande, encompassing La Mejorada, Santa Ana, Santa Lucia, Santiago, San Juan, La Ermita, San Sebastián and San Cristóbal, there are still old mansions at risk of getting lost and with them, their legacy, either by being modified without the necessary permits or by abandonment.

Recently the Cabildo de Mérida approved the signing of a framework cooperation agreement with the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), which will formalize the links of work and collaboration that exist between the City Council and the INAH Center, for the conservation and preservation of the important historical, cultural, and built heritage of our city.

The authorities point to multiple causes for which a property is abandoned and for which it is difficult to intervene, including private property, intestacy, family assets and the owner’s lack of interest or lack of resources to restore it.

From what is observed, the number of people who decide to rescue, rejuvenate, put on sale or rent their properties is increasing, and the number of people who are choosing Centro as their new place of residence is also growing.

Source: yucatan.com.mx

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