Coco Beach - massive development

[doggums]

Is there anything Michelle does not know?

It's kind of annoying.

[FrankRN]

Originally Posted by doggums

Is there anything Michelle does not know?

It's kind of annoying.

OMG

Doggums, how the HELL RU and WHERE have you been!!

[Mindbender]

Originally Posted by billwarm

Hello Mindbender,
How have you been. We are going to be in town March 18-25th. Can't wait to see your handiwork on the window coverings. Maybe we can get together one evening for a drink.
See ya then
Bill

Hola Bill. Good to hear from you. I thought you were arriving just after we installed the blinds and curtains, not weeks after? They looked great when we left them, especially with the view you've got!

Just let me know if you're heading out to a bar and I'll drop by for one

[Michele]

Originally Posted by doggums

Is there anything Michelle does not know?

It's kind of annoying.

HIHIHIHIHIHI!!! When are you coming to visit us??? Send my love to Jody!!!

[diogeron]

Wonder if they'll leave any more beach than they did in Playacar? The problem with these mega-developments is that they appear to be diminishing the available public beaches. If the only way people in Playa can get to the beach is to drive or stay at one of these Frankendevelopments, then the city planners (such as they are here) will be cutting off their nose to spite their face.

Originally Posted by Michele

If it's beachfront, that will be the new development form Cantex called Costa del Sol. Cantex is the same company that developed Paseo del Sol in Playacar, Corto Maltes and now the new El Faro condominiums. This will be their biggest undertaking in this region. For what it's worth, they are very reputable, professional and put out a good product.

Mareazul is well under construction and promises to be absolutely stunning when it is completed. I missed their sales party on the beach last night as I am laid up with the flu, so no updated pictures to show.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by diogeron

Wonder if they'll leave any more beach than they did in Playacar? The problem with these mega-developments is that they appear to be diminishing the available public beaches. If the only way people in Playa can get to the beach is to drive or stay at one of these Frankendevelopments, then the city planners (such as they are here) will be cutting off their nose to spite their face.

I don't know if anyone has noticed but all along the highway 307, there are large green and white signs posted showing all of the public access points to the beach. There were no such signs when I moved here three plus years ago. Sometimes they are quite obvious, other times they sort of blend in to all the other signage. The CTM is a public access point although the beach it leads to has a concession on it. Ultimately there will be a beach club there which will cater to the condo owners but also be open to the public like Mamitas. The next public access point is, I believe, just north of this new development. There is another public access point just south of Nicte Ha. In Xcalacoco, there is another.
It is true, the coastline is being eaten up by all inclusives and mega condo complexes. It does seem however, that the "powers that be" are working in anticipation of this and making sure access for all is preserved. I prefer the beaches empty and backed by jungle but such is progress. It is a matter of supply and demand.

[scubacenote]

Originally Posted by Dpreefer

The project is huge. I looked out my window and was surprised that something was different, but I could not figure out what it was................Oh, Yeah! The jungle was missing!!!!!

It looks like they have not cut down the mangroves (looks like the city is finally enforcing that restriction) but it is just beyond the bend of Coco beach, and seems to encompass the whole of the next beach. Take a look.

Attachment 7510

This is a short mini documentary that I did a month ago, about precisely this mangrove removal of this area, and the veto that our Gobernor Felix did to the new mangrove protection law, because of pressure from the Spanish government. It is in English, check it out.

[Dpreefer]

Excellent little video you have made. I hope that many people see it and become incensed over the way the politicians are selling out the ecology of our beautiful PLaya del Carmen and the Mayan Riviera. If they had their way, they would have the whole coast paved in cement.

Another issue is the granting of building variances for money that goes partially to the city, partially to the state and mostly into the pockets of the Mexican politicians. The whole area of north Playa was supposed to be a maximum of 3 stories of 12 meters high, with a requirement of one third of the land as open space for water drainage ond plantings. If you pay enough money (I understand it goes for 1 million dollars per story) you can build corner to corner on your lot with zero open space, and go 4 to 5 stories high.

Take a look at the property under construction on Ave. Flamingo between 42nd and 44th (right where you were filming) and see how the builder is going up over 16 meters high, maybe as much as 18. This should be illegal, but the politicians have the rights to sell variances and they do. Beautiful Playa is going to become more like Cancun than we hoped. Could this also be the fate of Tulum in the future?

This is the state of Mexico today. Politics and money trump reason, ecology or the will of the people. Very sad, but what can be done about it? To all of my entreaties, I get the same response..............a shrug of the shoulders and a look that says "That's just the way it is."

[scubacenote]

Originally Posted by Dpreefer

This is the state of Mexico today. Politics and money trump reason, ecology or the will of the people. Very sad, but what can be done about it? To all of my entreaties, I get the same response..............a shrug of the shoulders and a look that says "That's just the way it is."

We can do something: Try to expose this people to the local and global media, just as I do with my You Tube channel; and if necessary, place a law suit to any corrupt authority, at the new "secretaria de la funcion publica", I know that not every body has the balls to do such things, or are not in the position to do it (too much to loose, business, kids, migracion issues, etc.), but me as a Mexican, I am not scared of any of this idiots, plus I have nothing to loose. A friend of mine already sued Mayor Carlos Joaquin twice! And made him cancel permits for Coco Bongo Discotheque Twice!!! Things can be made!!!

[Daddy B]

Originally Posted by Michele

I am always surprised at the amounts of $$$ that change hands here every day. It's truly astonishing.

I overheard an acquaintance of mine's phone conversation just the other day, it went like this, "I have five projects on the go at the moment, I don't need your $40 million dollars"...

[Daddy B]

Originally Posted by scubacenote

We can do something: Try to expose this people to the local and global media, just as I do with my You Tube channel; and if necessary, place a law suit to any corrupt authority, at the new "secretaria de la funcion publica", I know that not every body has the balls to do such things, or are not in the position to do it (too much to loose, business, kids, migracion issues, etc.), but me as a Mexican, I am not scared of any of this idiots, plus I have nothing to loose. A friend of mine already sued Mayor Carlos Joaquin twice! And made him cancel permits for Coco Bongo Discotheque Twice!!! Things can be made!!!

Well done, Mexico needs more Mexicans like yourself!

Besides, when a foreigner tries doing something the stock reply is, "Go back to your country"...

[scharke]

I went walking through this development this morning. I walked along fifth going north until the first public access point. From fifth you can see the new buildings with only a few "decorative" trees remaing from the mangrove. They have leveled all of the mangroves. I don't know how anyone could see this and say they have saved them. Walking through the access point takes you right through the heart of the destruction. They are bringing in tons of large rocks and beating them into what's left to elevate it. I remember last fall after the rainy season there were stretches of this path that were underwater and makeshift bridges were the only way through (it was kinda fun and challenging). The rocks are an attempt to fill this.

I went up the beach and went back into town at the next public entry point. This appears to be the edge of the development. On one side you see the clear cut land and the other is the mangrove that once was. Wow, this is a shocking view. I need to return and take some pictures. It's been torn up and bulldozed and covered in crushed rock.

This is so awful to see. I encourage anyone that lives in Playa to go take this walk. When you are in the middle of the development you can look around and see that you are in a basin. Most of the town drains into this mangrove, but now it will run right over the golf course, taking all the herbicide and fungicides with it and deposit it in the sea and the reef.

One good hurricane and this whole thing will be underwater. I hope it comes sooner than later. Thank you for the video, keep documenting this. It is a crime.

[ThrushJockey]

Originally Posted by FrankRN

So sad ... pretty soon I am going to have to drive 3 hours south to find a quite beach to relax on.

DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[doggums]

Originally Posted by Michele

HIHIHIHIHIHI!!! When are you coming to visit us??? Send my love to Jody!!!

FrankRN remembers me and so does Michelle?!?!? It is so nice to be loved. Although I guess being remembered and being loved are two different things.

Michelle, we land on Cozumel on 6-2 and depart on 6-13. Our plan is to split time between Akumal and Playa with 7 days in one and 4 the other, but not sure which will get the longer time yet. We really enjoyed it down south on our two trips with you and Rob. We may have friends coming with us, they are as of yet undecided. So as of right now the only things set are our arrival and departure dates.

[Rissask]

I remember you too, Doggums...how could anyone forget that avatar? scary! Visit us more often!

This thread topic is exactly why we tend to go to the Pacific coast more often.

I agree, scubacenote-way to go, keep it up! Mexico does need more Mexican people actively trying to preserve more of the coastline and prevent overdevelopment...too bad money talks louder than anything.