Advertising signs with the legend ‘coming soon’ have appeared on the property.
Restaurant at the pier, being remodeled for its next opening… Photo: Sofía Medeles.
Sofía Medeles (Ajijic).- The announcement of the upcoming opening of a restaurant in the controversial building located on the Ajijic pier, where the malecon begins, has generated a stir and mixed opinions among the Ajijic residents.
The opening of an Argentinean restaurant is emblazoned on a large advertising banner placed on the building . This has displeased some residents because, according to them, this type of billboard is not allowed in Pueblos Mágicos, especially in the main square or tourist area.
The government of Chapala has not commented on the matter and, as of the closing of this edition, has not said if the business has the licenses and other requirements to operate, such as the safety of the diners or the basic services to operate.
Several Ajijic residents were interviewed about the issue in an unscientific sample and most of them were against it. They felt that the concessionaire, Fabio Rizzo, was appropriating public space and abusing the rights of local people.
«This concession should be reviewed. Mr. Rizzo feels he owns the federal land and believes he is doing us a favor by letting us have the malecon. A business of this type could lead to the situation of the Piedra Barrenada (tourist-food zone of San Juan Cosalá), we do not want it to be replicated in Ajijic”, said one resident interviewed by Laguna..
“As local residents we can ask for support from the authorities to review the concession and what its permits allow. A more drastic action would be to campaign to prevent people eating there,» said a member of Pueblos Unidos de la Ribera, a group that has been in charge of stopping the invasions of federal land in Lake Chapala.
Rizzo has on several occasions stated that his permit covers not only the restaurant area, but 3,362 meters including part of the boardwalk and the Parque de la Amistad.
Not everyone interviewed opposed the concession. Some of those questioned said that although it is not the best way to set up a business, they are not opposed to it, since they believe it is a good attraction for tourism, as well as a source of work for those who live in Ajijic. «If everything is in order, go ahead,» said Adán, a local resident.
Whether or not the permit , licenses and services for the restaurants were in order was constantly talked about during the interviews.
«Many of us want the city council to tell us if they granted licenses because everything is in order, and if the restaurant has the necessary services and what are they going to do with the sewage, and how is the building in terms of security?» said another local resident named Blanca.
This building was constructed in 1988, initially it was intended to be built on the dock, however, due to opposition from town residents, the location was changed to where it is currently located.
Rizzo Jasso has claimed that the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) granted him the authorization to use the area for 50 years. The property has had different restaurants over the years; however, they all ended up closing.
Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
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