Six Major High Rise Condos Planned For Downtown San José
Following years of decline and the efforts of municipal officials during the last five, downtown San José could soon see people moving back in to live there, as the first high rise condominium projects near reality.

Condominium high rise projects are abound - some already built, others under construction and a number in the planning state - in the areas around the Parque La Sabana, all within the Municipalidad de San José.

However, a number of businessmen feel that now is the time for people to be moving back to the city and close to work, and the idea is not so "descabellada" - hair brained.

The Municipalidad says that there are six projects being proposed in the downtown core and municipal officials say they all have their "visto bueno" - okay.

The first of the six is the Condominios Lahmamm 1060, which begun construction some 22 days ago and will be completed in 18 months, is located in González Lahmamm on the southwest side of the San José.

Rodrigo Mata, the developer, says that in about two weeks they will begin the presale of the first apartments, seven of which will be ready in eight months, for starting price of us$69.000.

The other projects are expected to begin construction in early 2008, which will include the Toores de Don Bosco, located in front of the farmers market on Avenida 10.

The Don Bosco project will be comprised of two high rises, one housing a hotel and offices, the other residential apartments, towering 109 metres (357 feet) for a total of 30 floors.

The other projects are being planned for areas known as Calle Morenos, on Calle 5, between Avenidas 7 and 9, north of the Holiday Inn; another in Barrio Otoya, near the Simón Bolivar zoo; and the other in Lomas de Barrio Escalante, according to municipal officials.

No start date or details of the plans for those projects was available.

Johnny Araya, mayor of San José for more than 15 years, was pleased that his work in renewing the city is finally paying off, evidenced by the investments being made.

One of the incentives by municipality to attract residential investments is reducing taxes. The municipality is charging only a 0.1% tax on the value of the construction instead of the usual 1%.

That incentive was in part the result of the construction of the Brisas de Oeste, in Sabana oeste and the Condado del Palacio, behind the San José Palacio hotel.

Mayor Araya said the taxi incentives have proven a success and the developers found their units went quickly, confirming his assertions that there are people who want to live in the city.

San José has seen a decline of people living in the city, preferring to move to the outskirts of Rohrmoser, Escazú and lately Santa Ana and beyond, preferring the calmer lifestyle of the suburbs, while less traffic congestion and crime.

Araya added that the plan to "rescue" 53 city blocks is working, as the city has been working on bettering the infrastructure of service, like burying all the overhead cables, a project that is almost complete, installing new traffic lights, more police and added patrols, etc. and the building of more pedestrian boulevards to make the city more habitable.

For developer Mata, he says he sees a great advantage of living in the city, especially being close to work.

However, Randall Murillo, executive director of the Cámara Costarricense de la Construcción (Construction chamber), considers that the city still requires more efficient transportation services, more security and more environmental policies.

"The city has to be given back to the people because it is now being seized by vehicles...", said Murillo, who believes that the new projects have merit as long as the city provides security for people to walk around town without fear or have to make long lines waiting for a bus.

For his part, Olman Vargas, director of the Colegio Federado de Ingenieros y Arquitectos (College of Architects and Engineers) also agrees with the projects, but feels that the city has to offer more security and better lighting.

"People will begin to learn and appreciate the advantages of living in the city, having shops and services at hand", said Vargas, as long as they are offered the needed security, however.