US$70 Million to be Invested

[PlayadelSoul]

Just read in Respuesta that this area is going to receive more new investment money than any other area in Mexico, this year.

Coppel, a department store chain, will be opening four warehouses as distribution centers to the rest of the country.

And, we will be getting a La Isla mall. To those unfamiliar with La Isla, there is one in Cancun. It is an open-air mall with high end stores, an aquarium, and some decent restaurants.

Economic boom, baby!

[Dan-0]

This is great news for Playa. More jobs, more growth. Wow, a "La Isla" shopping center. I've been to the one in Cancun several times, doesn't it have a Hooters? So, does this mean Playa is going to get a Hooters?

[Kami]

Originally Posted by PlayadelSoul

Just read in Respuesta that this area is going to receive more new investment money than any other area in Mexico, this year.

Coppel, a department store chain, will be opening four warehouses as distribution centers to the rest of the country.

And, we will be getting a La Isla mall. To those unfamiliar with La Isla, there is one in Cancun. It is an open-air mall with high end stores, an aquarium, and some decent restaurants.

Economic boom, baby!

YAY! I love growth and stores and shopping and, and, and...
This is actually good news for the Playa area; more jobs, better opportunities for the people in Playa, less gas wasted due to having to drive to Cancun, more people coming to the area...hmmm...possibly more business for me since I want to primarily work with the locals. Yes, good news indeed.

[Libby]

Wow! Distribution centers HERE?! That's huge.

Any idea where the La Isla is intended to go? It seems like more of a tourist attraction. The one in Cancun is in the hotel zone, I believe.

[surfnmom]

I have to say that I did enjoy the stores when I visited La Isla in Cancun but I really felt like I was back in the US....US music being played made me feel like I just wated to get back to Playa.

I kind of like the idea of being able to "go visit" when I need a US fix and then come back. But, it will be a huge help to the locals who need jobs and it will be nice to get a shirt that doesn't fall apart after 3 washes.

I am very interested to find out where they are going to be putting these...?

[Kami]

Originally Posted by Dan-0

This is great news for Playa. More jobs, more growth. Wow, a "La Isla" shopping center. I've been to the one in Cancun several times, doesn't it have a Hooters? So, does this mean Playa is going to get a Hooters?

Oh Dan-O...Hooters??? hmmm.
There should be a Wingstop so you can just get an order to go and take down to the beach!

[Maverick69]

Originally Posted by Dan-0

This is great news for Playa. More jobs, more growth. Wow, a "La Isla" shopping center. I've been to the one in Cancun several times, doesn't it have a Hooters? So, does this mean Playa is going to get a Hooters?

Oooops . I misread . I thought you said PDC was going to get HOOTERS!

[PlayadelSoul]

Originally Posted by Libby

Wow! Distribution centers HERE?! That's huge.

Any idea where the La Isla is intended to go? It seems like more of a tourist attraction. The one in Cancun is in the hotel zone, I believe.

I am thinking the distribution centers have to do with the duty free aspects of Quintana Roo, as well as the 10% IVA..

[Streckman]

I think it sucks personally. I know it will help support the area, but it also is going to speed up the commercialism that already exists. When you read a Frommers book, it always says something to the effect of "Get to Playa before it it gets overdeveloped, this once sleepy fishing town" ect. I know it has been about 10 years since the sleepy fishing village was in full effect, but it just saddens me the level of development that has gone on. Really sad. This is the one big reason I choose to chill in Akumal on my last vaca and not bother to run into Playa.

[SUNBABY]

Originally Posted by Streckman

I think it sucks personally. I know it will help support the area, but it also is going to speed up the commercialism that already exists. When you read a Frommers book, it always says something to the effect of "Get to Playa before it it gets overdeveloped, this once sleepy fishing town" ect. I know it has been about 10 years since the sleepy fishing village was in full effect, but it just saddens me the level of development that has gone on. Really sad. This is the one big reason I choose to chill in Akumal on my last vaca and not bother to run into Playa.

I have to agree...I am already burned out on all the growth and traffic and crowds...I liked it much better prior to 3 years ago..but that's just me being selfish and wanting it all to myself. Mahahual is really enticing me now.

I hate to see another cancun. High end stores just take away from the charm and that Mexico feel. But It's great for the good people who live and work there. Eventually, the litter and pollution and eco-system will become a problem. I too have recommended to friend to get there now before it's too late.

[Dan-0]

I've been going to Playa since '96. It wasn't a "sleepy fishing village" then and I think it has only gotten better as years go by. I get enough of the "real Mexico" in Chetumal, I enjoy Playa for what it is. I don't think it'll ever be another Cancun, although I like Cancun, just because of the way the town's configured. Most high-rise hotels are outside of town. Doesn't the city have regulations that prevent high-rise structures and billboards in town? I believe that most of the growth going on will be positive for the city as long as it's controlled growth and it preserves the town's ambiance.

[Kami]

I think it's very bittersweet but growth is inevitable. Alot of us began going to Playa when there was not much in Playa. I remember when the Moon Palace first opened up outside of Cancun and I thought that that place was so remote! Playa seems to have done so many things right in terms of restrictions and regulations because it has still maintained a small town atmosphere/feel. Yes, the traffic sucks in Playa and will probably get a little worse but if I had to guess, the authorities will attempt to keep up with the infastructure (unlike where I live and they bring the population into a new town and years later decide to build new roads to accommodate them!). The people are what make Playa what it is. There are alot of great people there now and we can only hope that Playa will continue to attract great people. Everyone that I have ever had a conversation with, whether a local or a tourist, they all have one thing in common...their love of Playa and the people in it. A city should not be defined by it's buildings, location, accommodations or anything material or structural...it should be defined by the people that live and visit there. Just my two cents.

[HAWKEYE]

Originally Posted by Kami

I think it's very bittersweet but growth is inevitable. Alot of us began going to Playa when there was not much in Playa. I remember when the Moon Palace first opened up outside of Cancun and I thought that that place was so remote! Playa seems to have done so many things right in terms of restrictions and regulations because it has still maintained a small town atmosphere/feel. Yes, the traffic sucks in Playa and will probably get a little worse but if I had to guess, the authorities will attempt to keep up with the infastructure (unlike where I live and they bring the population into a new town and years later decide to build new roads to accommodate them!). The people are what make Playa what it is. There are alot of great people there now and we can only hope that Playa will continue to attract great people. Everyone that I have ever had a conversation with, whether a local or a tourist, they all have one thing in common...their love of Playa and the people in it. A city should not be defined by it's buildings, location, accommodations or anything material or structural...it should be defined by the people that live and visit there. Just my two cents.

Well put Kami.
Craig.

[PlayadelSoul]

Originally Posted by Dan-0

I've been going to Playa since '96. It wasn't a "sleepy fishing village" then and I think it has only gotten better as years go by. I get enough of the "real Mexico" in Chetumal, I enjoy Playa for what it is. I don't think it'll ever be another Cancun, although I like Cancun, just because of the way the town's configured. Most high-rise hotels are outside of town. Doesn't the city have regulations that prevent high-rise structures and billboards in town? I believe that most of the growth going on will be positive for the city as long as it's controlled growth and it preserves the town's ambiance.

I agree. It is impossible for Playa to become another Cancun. I have lived in both and the differences are huge, and will remain that way.

[Tony&Cheri]

Originally Posted by Kami

I think it's very bittersweet but growth is inevitable. Alot of us began going to Playa when there was not much in Playa. I remember when the Moon Palace first opened up outside of Cancun and I thought that that place was so remote! Playa seems to have done so many things right in terms of restrictions and regulations because it has still maintained a small town atmosphere/feel. Yes, the traffic sucks in Playa and will probably get a little worse but if I had to guess, the authorities will attempt to keep up with the infastructure (unlike where I live and they bring the population into a new town and years later decide to build new roads to accommodate them!). The people are what make Playa what it is. There are alot of great people there now and we can only hope that Playa will continue to attract great people. Everyone that I have ever had a conversation with, whether a local or a tourist, they all have one thing in common...their love of Playa and the people in it. A city should not be defined by it's buildings, location, accommodations or anything material or structural...it should be defined by the people that live and visit there. Just my two cents.

Nicely said. And let's not forget that group of people so often forgotten in the "is Playa going to hell with so much development" debate: the Mexican nationals who live here.

Quintana Roo now has the highest per capita income of any Mexican State. The development of Playa has allowed the people who live here, and have always lived here, a chance to become part of the middle class we all aspire to. Walmart is full everyday not with tourists or expats but with real locals. People here are beginning to make money and are beginning to be able to enjoy some of the things it can buy. For example, most of the staff at our hotel own their homes, something that would have been unheard of just a few years ago. And some have recently purchased their first car. Yeah it means more traffic, more congestion, etc. The charming dirt roads with folks pedaling bikes to work may be gone, but it also means a better, easier way of life for their families.

We agree with Mark, Playa ain't ever gonna be Cancun, but if it's controlled development means a better life for folks down here, we think the trade off with the "charm" factor is a good one.

[PlayaLove]