Regional Convention Center Announced in Rosarito
25-acre facility touted as catalyst for regional investment
On September 24 Baja California officials announced a new regional convention center designed to service the four municipalities of Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada, and Tecate. Located at the northern limits of Rosarito and north-west of the new Pabellon de Rosarito shopping center, the new 25-acre facility is slated to break ground within a month and officials expect it to be completed by 2010. The project was hailed as a “catalyst for a new investment” and touts 250,000 square feet of meeting areas, convention halls, and a business center. Nearly 3,500 parking spaces will accommodate visitors to the center.
The location—selected from amongst 19 competing locations in the region—was chosen for having the proper physical characteristics, clean title, and adequate infrastructure. Additionally it met the price requirement of government officials that the land be donated, a decision made by the 85-family Ejido Mazatlan in consideration of the additional development that would be encouraged by the new facility.
Investment in the project is expected to be completed with existing earmarks of $250M pesos and is intended to augment other major infrastructure projects in Baja California including Punta Colonet, SEMPRA, a major augmentation of facilities at the university UABC, and a large new power plant in Mexicali.
Mayor Hugo Torres said that the convention center would “reactivate the economy” and give a “breath of fresh area” by providing a true, metropolitan-class convention center.
Governor Jose Osuna stated that social development, education, and health are the “best inheritance that we can offer,” speaking of future generations in Baja. He also addressed security demands in the regional saying that the problem is not one of “political parties” and that “all are responsible” for its solution. He called the government’s current actions as a “full frontal war against organized crime.”
Governor Osuna made the challenge to other officials, developers, and the public to complete the project in advance of the Border Governors Conference that Baja California will host in 2010.
Brian Flock is a degreed and certified real estate broker in Baja California, Mexico. He may be contacted at brian@bajaoceanrealty.com or www.bajaoceanrealty.com, or (619) 793-5224.