Merida’s new foodie corridor finally gets a firm opening date

Over a year after construction began, Mérida’s new foodie corridor will officially open for business on Friday, Nov. 3. 

The inauguration will feature a series of cultural events organized by the city, including live music, folkloric dancers, and comedians.

The corridor will stretch along Calle 47, from Parque de Santa Ana to the still-under-construction El Gran Parque de la Plancha. 

The opening will come as a relief to businesses on Calle 47 and surrounding streets that have been severely affected, especially since major construction began in January. 

Businesses, particularly the restaurants this project is designed to highlight, have been severely affected by the construction but have been holding out in hopes that once construction is done, business will be booming.

Despite the chaos, a handful of new restaurants have already opened on Calle 47 in hopes of getting a jump start on the competition.

Over the past month, construction has also severely impacted businesses on the Remate, where traffic has been completely closed off. 

Earlier: The road to Mérida’s ‘foodie corridor’ is a bumpy one

The project has been controversial since it was first announced, with concerns cited, including a lack of parking, noise, and the pushing out of families who have lived on 47 for generations. 

Also creating a good deal of controversy is what has been described as a “concrete mess,” which the city says it will remedy by installing large potted trees all along the corridor. 

To offset concerts, the city hired a PR firm to conduct meetings with stakeholders, including the international community, in February 2022. 

“We all like nice restaurants and places to go hang out, but historically, Mérida’s city government has been extremely lax when it comes to zoning rules. This does not exactly inspire confidence,” noted one of the attendees.

However, the feedback was in no way binding. 

The massive park at La Plancha is scheduled for a ceremonial opening by President Lopéz Obrador on Sunday, Nov. 19. However, it is unlikely all of its facilities will be completed and working by then.