The current PAN administration intends to revive the Andador Cultural Axixic, with some changes, despite divided opinions among locals
Last weekend, cones were placed to prevent people from parking, in preparation for the return of the Andador Cultural Axixic. Photo: Sofía Medeles.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic, Jal.) – The current Encargado de Despacho of Ajijic, Maximiliano «Max» Macías Arceo, says there are plans to reinstall the andador on Calle Morelo, in the heart of Ajijic. He added that the reinstallation will not only benefit businesses, but also locals and tourists.
(Note: An “anador” means a walkway. In this case it is a “cultural walkway” of outside vendors, in front of existing shops on Calle Morelos)
Macías Arceo continued, «this time, we are planning for it to be a cultural walkway, focused on the local artisans, and the businesses of Calle Morelos.” He said he understands the objections some people have to the project; the previous administration (2015-2018) led a similar project. Objectors felt the previous version of the andador benefited the businesses located along Calle Morelos, but not the local artisans. Another objection is that the andador means Calle Morelos is closed to vehicular traffic on the weekends to make way for the vendors and pedestrians.
Since the new administration (PAN) took office, there has been speculation about if, or how the andador would return. In preparation for the revival of the andador, road agents have been in charge of preventing vehicles from parking on Calle Morelos, beginning at the intersection of Morelos and Ocampo.
In the first two weeks of the previous government (Ciudadano Movimiento), the andador was closed; seven street vendors were relocated close to the pier, at the entrance of the Ajijic malecón. There are now more than twenty street vendors selling at the new location.
When 17 people were interviewed about the return of the Andador Cultural Axixic, nine of them supported the re-opening, while eight others were opposed to closing a main street again for the sale of handicrafts. Francisco, a young resident of Ajijic, said «they are only giving way to the restaurants to bring their filth back to the streets little by little. They may say it is to support local culture, but they said the same thing last time. It’s good that they are fixing the street, but with the stalls there, they are only going to cause traffic chaos.»
On the other hand, those who support the re-opening,seem confident that it could be a profitable platform for local artists. «A cultural walkway, like the one in the plaza, but exclusively for people from Ajijic, is what the town needs. Ajijic has many artists who should have more visibility to those who come to visit our pueblo mágico,» commented Fany, an Ajijic resident.
The new Municipal President, Alejandro Aguirre, is aware of the mixed opinions. His administration is also looking to fix Calle Morelos starting at Calle Colón, always taking the opinions of the people into account. Macías Arceo says that the project should begin later this year. The Andador Cultural Axixic was started during the PRI administration by PRI member Javier Degollado. It had been cancelled during the Ciudadano Movimiento administration.
Translated by Amy Esperanto
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