Dominican President Funds Major Santiago Urban Renewal, Market Revitalization

SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic – Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader announced Sunday the launch of three significant urban development projects in Santiago, allocating 658 million Dominican pesos (approximately $11.1 million USD) to revitalize a key public market and other areas.

The initiatives include a comprehensive renovation of the Hospedaje Yaque market, the construction of the Mirador del Yaque project in the neighborhood known as Nueva York Chiquito, and various other sanitation improvements. These efforts align with the government's broader agenda to reclaim public spaces, modernize urban infrastructure, and enhance residents' quality of life.

During the announcement, Abinader underscored the transformation of Hospedaje Yaque as a direct response to his commitment to dignify public markets and provide Santiago with a modern, organized, and secure commercial hub. He described the market as Santiago's primary public market and a vital center for small and medium-sized merchants, as well as farmers from across the region.

The president recalled that calls for improvements to the market facilities had been a consistent demand throughout his political career, and he was now fulfilling that long-standing commitment.

"The Hospedaje Yaque has been a decades-long clamor; it drives the economy for hundreds of small and medium-sized merchants, as well as farmers from the entire region who come to sell their products," Abinader stated. "I always said that the central government would undertake the large projects, and we would do the small and medium ones in conjunction with the City Council, and that is what we are fulfilling today."

Abinader indicated that the government recently transferred the 658 million pesos through a complementary budget approved last week. Approximately 70% of these funds are earmarked for the Hospedaje Yaque project, with the remainder allocated to sanitation works, including the Mirador del Yaque, which will transform the Nueva York Chiquito area into a new park.

The president emphasized the importance of broad consensus among all stakeholders involved in the market project. "This design must include small, medium, and large merchants. No one can be left out. We want it to be a comprehensive and participatory solution," he reiterated.

If the bidding process commences within one month and execution proceeds efficiently, Abinader projected the Hospedaje Yaque could be completed by the first quarter of 2027.

Santiago Mayor Ulises Rodríguez hailed President Abinader's visit as historic, particularly with the announcement of the "Gran Hospedaje Yaque," which will be a three-level facility. Rodríguez stated the project would revolutionize the market, ensuring better conditions for inclusion and participation for all merchants and users.

Rodríguez confirmed that the necessary funds had been transferred to initiate the work, fulfilling a commitment made by President Abinader to Santiago's development. The mayor highlighted that the market had suffered years of neglect despite its crucial role in distributing most of the food consumed in the region.

The mayor underscored that the project represents a collaborative effort between the City Council and the central government, working as a unified team for the benefit of the city. The construction of the new Hospedaje Yaque aims to organize the space and provide essential conditions to positively impact the health, economy, and social life of Santiago's population.