Carol Schmidt
Feb 29, 2004, 9:48 PM
Post #1 of 3
(388 views)
Shortcut
|
The Film Colony looks like a done deal for SMA
|
Can't Post | Private Reply
|
Today's Herald, the English language Mexican paper published by The Miami Herald, has an article on it. Sounds like a done deal, though last I heard it hadn't gotten an environmental impact statement approved yet. The photos show it's already under construction on the 250-acre grounds of the old Rancho San Ignacio. Total cost is projected at $48 million, it is scheduled to be fully open in 2007, and it will use 50 acres of the ranch, the rest to be maintained as an ecological reserve. The developer, Frances Fisher, from New Zealand, says that the Colony "plans to share water and power from its onsite plants with adjacent neighborhoods and will open its soccer fields and amphitheater to San Miguel residents." It is expected to create about 650 temporary and full-time jobs. Mayor Villarreal is quoted as saying, "At first glance, this looks like a project that will generate social, human and economic development while preserving the environment," and it "could help stem the migration of Mexican workers to the United States." He is quoted as estimating that expatriates make up some 10 percent of the SMA population, which is given as 76,000. That makes some 7,600 of us, and he probably has a better estimate than anyone. Antonio Banderas "and members of the Rockefeller family are just two examples of the moneyed class with vacation homes here," the article states. Fisher is quoted as saying she "totally fell in love with San Miguel from the moment I stepped off the bus in 1984." Sounds like the water issue is being addressed. "A manmade lagoon surrounded by tropical plants and featuring a simulated Aztec pyramid--which can double as a rock-climbing wall--will serve both as a movie backdrop anda weekend retreat for area families," Fisher says in the article. That's better than the "water park" which was first mentioned in early news articles--I envisioned a huge theme park using millions of gallons of our scarce water. One Mexican resident is quoted as saying the Colony will be very important for the SMA economy "because we live off tourism, and the project would bring more. There is no other source of work." Carol Schmidt
|
Forums Index
Search Posts
Who's Online
Log In or Sign Up