Residents of 23rd Street between 76th and 78th Streets in the port area have mixed emotions about the upcoming opening of the artisan market, which will be set up right in front of their homes.
The stretch, which used to extend to the “Pasaje de los enamorados” (Passage of Lovers), will practically become pedestrian-only, as the stalls will be fixed and made of prefabricated concrete.
“For what it’s worth, it looks nice,” says Teresa Casanova Cuevas, who has lived in that area for 52 years. “But from here to saying that we’ll benefit from it, not so much.”
“It saddens me to see that my street is no longer there and that we won’t have the same atmosphere again,” she notes. “However, it’s a different view, and yes, it looks nice in its own way.”
In addition to the stalls installed down the middle of the street, canopies with lights were also set up. The lighting surprised residents because “those artisans only sell during the day.”
As we reported earlier, the 100 artisans who will be setting up shop there are usually based at a taxi stand, about a block from the International Malecón, and only come out when cruise ships arrive.
Since that location was sold to a supermarket, they had to find another spot. The best option was this stretch of 23rd Street, where most of the properties are family homes.
Construction began three months ago, causing respiratory problems for residents, with some even seeking therapy.
The resident claims that they were not informed that the market would be built on this section of 23rd Street.
“The Municipality invited us to a neighborhood meeting,” Teresa Casanova says. “Only my husband and I, along with the neighbor across from here, attended. They showed us a rough draft and told us they were going to put up our facades and windows.”
The lady recalls with humor that municipal employees went door-to-door to visit residents.
“I was busy when they came over and asked me to sign a paper for the neighborhood association, so I signed without knowing what it was about,” she laughs.
Days later, workers arrived to break down the street and sidewalks to start the construction, which must be completed in the coming days.
The interviewee says that once the work is done, there’s nothing left but to make the most of it and use it every day, not just when cruise ships arrive. Despite everything, she thinks the view of the street is nice.
