A bolder welcome at Mérida’s airport arch

The airport arch welcoming travelers has a new look. Photos: Courtesy

Mérida, Yucatán — The “Bienvenidos” arch seems a little more hearty in its welcome these days.

The weathered arch that airport travelers pass through when approaching Avenida Itzáes has been patched and painted.

The arch is not historic, but it’s an important symbol for the city. The director of Urban Development, Aref Karam Espósitos, said it was built in 1992 to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the city.

Now a vivid yellow ochre and fitted with new lighting and simulated stone pieces and fiberglass moldings, the arch looks good as new.

It was a much easier project than fixing the city’s 17-century arcos: Dragones, Puente and San Juan.

The current city administration, in its final months, is still patching and painting the Centro, as well. The “rescue” program recently renovated facades at 89 properties between Santa Lucía park and the Plaza Grande with an investment of 9 million pesos.

Now they are attacking 228 facades on Calle 60 and 62 between Calle 47 in Santa Ana and 55 in Santa Lucía, with an investment of 10 million pesos.

Unlike the Centro work, the airport arch didn’t require supervision from historic preservation officials at INAH. The only complication was working with intense airport traffic, said Karam Espósitos.

Source: Press release

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