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Mérida, Yucatán — Scaffolding covers UADY’s historic downtown building, which has become part of the current phase of facade “rescue.”
Mayor Maria Fritz Sierra led a ceremonial start to the renovation at the 300-year-old Autonomous University of Yucatan on Calle 60 and 57. Much of the building was constructed between 1938 and and 1941, when a third floor was added, and the stone-carved corner entryway was installed.
Work, sponsored by the city administration, is under the Rescate de Fachadas del Centro Histórico program, which has improved more than 1,000 properties since it launched in 1995.
Repairs to facades are completed in coordination with and under the supervision of INAH, the federal agency that safeguards the country’s historic vestiges.
“We thank the Institute for its valuable willingness and collaboration with these actions that preserve the historical heritage of the Meridanos and Yucatecans in general,” Fritz Sierra said.
The building is one of the five historical monuments getting patched up and painted.
“The UADY has contributed a lot in educational, economic, social and political matters for the development of the state, and the great value it maintains as one of the pillars of quality public education at a higher level in the region today is widely recognized on a national and international level,’ she continued.
UADY Rector José de Jesús Williams thanked the city for its support as the Centro landmark undergoes a larger conversion inside.
“In a few months, this building will house the University Cultural Center and these actions will allow us to have a privileged space that will be used for maximizing cultural and artistic activities,” Jesús Williams said.
The Director of Urban Development, Aref Karam Espósitos, explained that just short of 200 properties between the Plaza Grande and Parque Santa received intervention since November 2016.
The city administration, which will be replaced Sept. 1, also renovated three of the city’s famous arches, restored murals by Manuel Lizama Salazar, overhauled the Monumento a la Patria and is restoring the acoustic shell at Parque de las Américas. Officials also provided free WiFi for 55 blocks.
Related:
UADY’s Centro staff packs up, yielding for new cultural center
