Chinatown construction work gets under way

Work on the San José Municipality’s much-anticipated Chinatown project got under way Thursday morning with the closing of a large portion of Paseo de los Estudiantes.

The work was scheduled to begin yesterday, but was postponed by public employees’ march to Casa Presidencial.

China donated $1 million for the project and the municipal government will provide ¢200 million ($400,000).

The proposed area, on Calle 9, between Avenidas 2 and 14, is already home to several Chinese-owned businesses.

As part of the project, a boulevard will cover 8,185 square meters and take seven to eight months to complete. Each end of the boulevard will feature two Chinese-style arches marking the entrances to the pedestrian area of Chinatown.

San José Mayor Johnny Araya said the project will be ready in eight months, and also will include replacement of sewer lines and installation of Chinese-inspired lights.