Protesting the new pier

**james** · 01-09-2003

Chencho's Hunger Strike

A local shoe store owner has gone without food since Sunday in protest of the new pier under construction at the point where Constituyentes meets the beach. The pier is claimed to be for the private, commercial use of the mega-watersports operation Aquaworld from Cancun.

Chencho's base camp for the hunger strike is meters from where the work is in progress for the Aquaworld pier.

"Aquaworld's pier robs the Playa community of a public beach and Jardines Reef, which is protected by international accords."

"Government! Listen to the town which you serve."

playa3 · 01-09-2003

I've read many different stories on this--what is the status of this project--go or no go???? We'll be in Playa the month of Feb and hope to buy you a beer or two.

John in DC · 01-09-2003

James, so what's the 1) proposed scope of this thing, and 2) what's the status. Talk of a 260-some meter pier would seem to imply a pretty dramatic change to the Playa waterfront. Have you got an idea of just what Aquaworld wants to do here?

Munichchick · 01-09-2003

I sure hope this construction can be stopped. However, as far as we have seen over the 10 years we have been visiting the Q.Roo big$$$$$ always will win in Mexico versus environmental or community concerns. I feel terrible for everyone in Playa but have a feeling this project will get finished and the all mighty Cancun is spilling South. This kind of stuff makes us very sad and all we can do is not give Aqua World our business but I am sure a ton of cruise ship and Cancun tourists will be spending tons of their money there and us Playa Fans not spending money there will not make a dent at all in their bank accounts. This used to be such a pretty stretch of beach fairly untouched by construction but we knew it would not stay that way being part of ever growing Playa. We where just hoping some nice little Boutique or Palapa Village Hotels would get built there versus big ugly developments. I am sure we will get to see the nasty site when we are there in May and fight tears back. I hope that gutsy Shoe Store Owner which I have tons of respect for will not starve to death. James! Is there anything we Playa Fans could do to help? :evil: :cry:

Blinks1babe · 01-10-2003

Thank you James for the information. I'm VERY much against this pier going in & would gladly join in the protest to stop it. I hate to think of Playa turning into another Cancun or San Miguel...not to mention the environmental impact. if there's anything we can do to help stop this project, please let us know James.
Aqua World is not a company that I would do business with. we've had a bad experience with them & have talked to others that have too. once they get your money, they couldn't care less about you. I know one couple that dove with them in Cancun & saw them give new divers substandard equipment to dive with. that's an accident waiting to happen, in my opinion. whenever we're in Playa...& someone asks about dive operators...we ALWAYS steer them away from Aqua World. it's not much, but if everyone boycotts them we can keep some money out of their pockets.
Munichchick's right...bottom line: it's always about money

**james** · 01-10-2003

I'll be updating this post later today with more info and news. Probably.

I was having some beers last night with a friend of mine that also happens to own a diveshop very close to the new pier. We both came to the conclusion that it won't be such a bad thing. Nobody really swims or dives out in front of the point (except if they actually reach Jardines reach, which I doubt will happen) and the area was normally unkempt. Aquaworld will hang themselves, in any case. They don't fit here.

I don't see a pier turning Playa into Cancun. Growth in Playa always seems to spur comments about how it's becoming Cancun. We've heard it for years. However, if you look at the trajectory, I think we are following quite divergent paths.

More l8r.

Munichchick · 01-10-2003

Playa is definately far from being another Cancun but Aqua World does not understand that point. But who knows. Maybe they will go out of business like that strange large Mall that was built and closed after a very short time because it just did not fit into Playa and people did not spend their money there. What is the deal with that 80 meter Lighthouse they are planing on building? I thought nothing can be taller than a Palm Tree which is about 3 story's high? Isn't that against the building laws in Playa? Just wondering.

**Jesus** · 01-10-2003

Is there any reason to believe that the pier is just going to be used by Acuaworld for their own use or maybe the cruise ships are also considered in the proyect?

best wishes from me.

**james** · 01-10-2003

I cannot see how it would be used for cruise ships. I think they need about 55' (17m) of depth to keep free of the bottom. (is the term draught?) They would have to go well beyond the reef of Jardines (max about 48' there) to even reach that depth, and then they would need to continue the length of the ship.

I've heard about that lighthouse, but I don't have details.

I stopped by the construction again today, and materials were being delivered, and the project manager was on site. So was Chencho. He's planning an invasion of the federal zone on Sunday morning at 7am. I also heard that three days ago a forced work stop was going to take effect, but that hasn't happened. I'm curious to see what shakes out this weekend.

lundah · 01-11-2003

I walked by the site this morning while I was out taking pictures of the beach. What I find really sad is not only is the pier going to ruin the beach, Aqua World will probably put quite a few smaller owner/operators out of business. Assuming this monstrosity DOES get built, I will NEVER give AW my business, and I will tell anyone I know to boycott them.

richdys2 · 01-11-2003

Virgin Poster. Just discovered the site. Very well written. Been coming to Playa for ten years now and will be back in February. Hope James is right about The Pier not being too bad. I agree that Playa will dodge the fate of Cancun. The time to worry is when the first Hilton/Marriott/Sheraton/Days Inn goes up. The key is what happens to the north. Acapulco used to have wonderful rustic hotels lined along the northern expanse of the bay. Then the big hotels developed the strip at the eastern tip and it was all over but the mudslides. If Playa can keep the northern stretch from being overrun and thus sucking the lifeblood from calle 10 and below it will be alright.

R[/img]

mindz · 01-11-2003

The pier is sad. The "lighthouse" will be uglier. But to me, the worst news is that Coco Beach will be taken over by a monster hotel. What's that going to mean for those of us who like to hang out there in between snorkeling?

I loved the Playa I discovered eight years ago. Porto Real wasn't built yet, but it was clear that changes were coming: the point was fenced off, and Constituyentes was a ridiculously wide gravel road to nowhere. On that trip, we met an aging hippie who blamed "us" for ruining it, and he said it was so much better when HE first came, many years earlier. I imagine that most visitors thinks it's just right when they first arrive, and hope it doesn't grow and change beyond that stage. But Mega-anything just doesn't seem in character with the central area, does it?

mindz · 01-11-2003

I thought that the Cruise ship tenders (like a small ferry) were going to be able to dock there--like thoe ones that go to the ferry pier now?
Plus, any pier will affect the way sand is or is not deposited on a beach. Many people blame Porto Real's sandbags for the shrunken beach to the south of the point.

BarbC · 01-11-2003

:roll: Deaar, deaar Playa.... hope the peir is only a myth of a sea monster and just turns out to be something useful. I am in the DR this week, in one of a long strip of AIs at Bavaaro... Couls be owrse, but Playa would be better. Kevin & Kat miss theeir life there, but are adjusting....
Only 2.5 more days fefore we go back to snowy Ottawa!
Ive got a Caribbean soul now, and have to come back!

James, thanks for the pier info: keep us posted.

Munichchick · 01-12-2003

Dear James! Could you please find out some info about the Monster Hotel at Coco Beach and post it here? Now this is making us even more upset than the Pier project.

:evil:

01-10-2003	#6 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,557	I'll be updating this post later today with more info and news. Probably. I was having some beers last night with a friend of mine that also happens to own a diveshop very close to the new pier. We both came to the conclusion that it won't be such a bad thing. Nobody really swims or dives out in front of the point (except if they actually reach Jardines reach, which I doubt will happen) and the area was normally unkempt. Aquaworld will hang themselves, in any case. They don't fit here. I don't see a pier turning Playa into Cancun. Growth in Playa always seems to spur comments about how it's becoming Cancun. We've heard it for years. However, if you look at the trajectory, I think we are following quite divergent paths. More l8r. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

01-10-2003	#9 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,557	I cannot see how it would be used for cruise ships. I think they need about 55' (17m) of depth to keep free of the bottom. (is the term draught?) They would have to go well beyond the reef of Jardines (max about 48' there) to even reach that depth, and then they would need to continue the length of the ship. I've heard about that lighthouse, but I don't have details. I stopped by the construction again today, and materials were being delivered, and the project manager was on site. So was Chencho. He's planning an invasion of the federal zone on Sunday morning at 7am. I also heard that three days ago a forced work stop was going to take effect, but that hasn't happened. I'm curious to see what shakes out this weekend. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

01-11-2003	#10 (permalink)
lundah toe in water Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 40	this thing is ugly I walked by the site this morning while I was out taking pictures of the beach. What I find really sad is not only is the pier going to ruin the beach, Aqua World will probably put quite a few smaller owner/operators out of business. Assuming this monstrosity DOES get built, I will NEVER give AW my business, and I will tell anyone I know to boycott them.

01-11-2003	#11 (permalink)
richdys2 sandflea Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Nueva Yorka Posts: 1	The Pier Virgin Poster. Just discovered the site. Very well written. Been coming to Playa for ten years now and will be back in February. Hope James is right about The Pier not being too bad. I agree that Playa will dodge the fate of Cancun. The time to worry is when the first Hilton/Marriott/Sheraton/Days Inn goes up. The key is what happens to the north. Acapulco used to have wonderful rustic hotels lined along the northern expanse of the bay. Then the big hotels developed the strip at the eastern tip and it was all over but the mudslides. If Playa can keep the northern stretch from being overrun and thus sucking the lifeblood from calle 10 and below it will be alright. R[/img]

01-11-2003	#12 (permalink)
mindz way into it Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 249	good point, richdys2... The pier is sad. The "lighthouse" will be uglier. But to me, the worst news is that Coco Beach will be taken over by a monster hotel. What's that going to mean for those of us who like to hang out there in between snorkeling? I loved the Playa I discovered eight years ago. Porto Real wasn't built yet, but it was clear that changes were coming: the point was fenced off, and Constituyentes was a ridiculously wide gravel road to nowhere. On that trip, we met an aging hippie who blamed "us" for ruining it, and he said it was so much better when HE first came, many years earlier. I imagine that most visitors thinks it's just right when they first arrive, and hope it doesn't grow and change beyond that stage. But Mega-anything just doesn't seem in character with the central area, does it?

01-09-2003	#2 (permalink)
playa3 way into it Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 133	I've read many different stories on this--what is the status of this project--go or no go???? We'll be in Playa the month of Feb and hope to buy you a beer or two.

01-09-2003	#3 (permalink)
John in DC way into it Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 216	James, so what's the 1) proposed scope of this thing, and 2) what's the status. Talk of a 260-some meter pier would seem to imply a pretty dramatic change to the Playa waterfront. Have you got an idea of just what Aquaworld wants to do here?

01-09-2003	#4 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 855	I sure hope this construction can be stopped. However, as far as we have seen over the 10 years we have been visiting the Q.Roo big$$$$$ always will win in Mexico versus environmental or community concerns. I feel terrible for everyone in Playa but have a feeling this project will get finished and the all mighty Cancun is spilling South. This kind of stuff makes us very sad and all we can do is not give Aqua World our business but I am sure a ton of cruise ship and Cancun tourists will be spending tons of their money there and us Playa Fans not spending money there will not make a dent at all in their bank accounts. This used to be such a pretty stretch of beach fairly untouched by construction but we knew it would not stay that way being part of ever growing Playa. We where just hoping some nice little Boutique or Palapa Village Hotels would get built there versus big ugly developments. I am sure we will get to see the nasty site when we are there in May and fight tears back. I hope that gutsy Shoe Store Owner which I have tons of respect for will not starve to death. James! Is there anything we Playa Fans could do to help? :evil: :cry:

01-10-2003	#5 (permalink)
Blinks1babe way into it Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NCentral Ohio Posts: 113	Thank you James for the information. I'm VERY much against this pier going in & would gladly join in the protest to stop it. I hate to think of Playa turning into another Cancun or San Miguel...not to mention the environmental impact. if there's anything we can do to help stop this project, please let us know James. Aqua World is not a company that I would do business with. we've had a bad experience with them & have talked to others that have too. once they get your money, they couldn't care less about you. I know one couple that dove with them in Cancun & saw them give new divers substandard equipment to dive with. that's an accident waiting to happen, in my opinion. whenever we're in Playa...& someone asks about dive operators...we ALWAYS steer them away from Aqua World. it's not much, but if everyone boycotts them we can keep some money out of their pockets. Munichchick's right...bottom line: it's always about money

01-10-2003	#7 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 855	Playa is definately far from being another Cancun but Aqua World does not understand that point. But who knows. Maybe they will go out of business like that strange large Mall that was built and closed after a very short time because it just did not fit into Playa and people did not spend their money there. What is the deal with that 80 meter Lighthouse they are planing on building? I thought nothing can be taller than a Palm Tree which is about 3 story's high? Isn't that against the building laws in Playa? Just wondering.

01-10-2003	#8 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 4,400	Is there any reason to believe that the pier is just going to be used by Acuaworld for their own use or maybe the cruise ships are also considered in the proyect? best wishes from me.

01-11-2003	#13 (permalink)
mindz way into it Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 249	Another thing (James) I thought that the Cruise ship tenders (like a small ferry) were going to be able to dock there--like thoe ones that go to the ferry pier now? Plus, any pier will affect the way sand is or is not deposited on a beach. Many people blame Porto Real's sandbags for the shrunken beach to the south of the point.

01-11-2003	#14 (permalink)
BarbC life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 814	pier :roll: Deaar, deaar Playa.... hope the peir is only a myth of a sea monster and just turns out to be something useful. I am in the DR this week, in one of a long strip of AIs at Bavaaro... Couls be owrse, but Playa would be better. Kevin & Kat miss theeir life there, but are adjusting.... Only 2.5 more days fefore we go back to snowy Ottawa! Ive got a Caribbean soul now, and have to come back! James, thanks for the pier info: keep us posted.

01-12-2003	#15 (permalink)
Munichchick life=playa Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Corona, California Posts: 855	Dear James! Could you please find out some info about the Monster Hotel at Coco Beach and post it here? Now this is making us even more upset than the Pier project. :evil:

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