By: Brenda Long Alfaro

Will the renovation of Playa’s streets ever end?

Yes, the end is near and none to soon for the Historic District of Playa, nestled between the ferry dock to Cozumel and Calle 8, where local Mayan shopkeepers are mixed among Playa’s massive silver shops, nightclubs and famous restaurants.

For those not in the know, this massive remodeling of the tourist zones streets and walkways began more than two years ago in the area now known as Little Italy, north of Constituyentes between 10^th Avenue and the beach. It has inched its way down, all too slowly, finally reaching the final two streets, Calle 4 and Calle 2.

Inspired by the burying of Playa wires and bone brick paving of the streets, the historic zone businesses are getting into the swing as well. Calle 4 is under a hot revitalization project and is ready for the high season. What’s new there? .............

Well, AJUA! Maya, one of Playa’s old time 4^th Street favorites, has put up new signs and added a wonderful tent in their Mayan garden seating area. They have been joined on this fun, eclectic street by one of PMN nominees for “Best tacos al Pastor”; Tres Carboncitas in the newly renovated Santa Barbara Hotel. And, some of the hottest news of all! The massive castle, formerly known as Ciudadela not Prince, has been sold! What is going to happen to that? No one’s saying but surely it will be something spectacular.

Not only is Calle 4 undergoing new ownership and redevelopment, but Calle 2 is as well. Pez Vela, on the corner of 2^nd and 5^th Avenue, is under renovation with a new bar in the center of the restaurant and sports soon to be broadcast again. And, if you looking for sports, don’t forget the old time favorite, La Taberna, on the Corner of Calle 4 and 10^th Avenida.

What is next for the “hated but loved” bricking of Playa’s tourist district? Now that the tubing has been buried and the drainage systems redone, thankfully, it is time to pull all that wire through for telephone, cable and electricity. Rumor has it that some of the tubes have been crushed and they will have to be uncrushed to get the cable through. But, eventually it will get done and then it will be down with telephone poles, overburdened transformers, miles and miles of ugly cables and into the gentrification of Mexico’s #1 tourist destination, Playa del Carmen. Some will love it, others will hate it, and the evolution of Playa will continue.

So, if you are in town for the first time or one of the regulars who just couldn’t even find Calle 4 behind the mounds of rubble and concrete left there for months on in, make sure you visit some of the old time favorite little shops and restaurants who have suffered through the “last days of the Frontier” and let them know you are overjoyed they have survived the onslaught of gentrification.

Brenda Alfaro is owner of AJUA (A-Who-A), a Playa del Carmen premier Mexican Restaurant and a full time resident in Paradise.

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