Casa Presidencial Definitely Moving Commission Announced
Following a number of proposals to move "Casa Presidencial" from its current location in Zapote to centre of San José, a commission formed to study the proposals decided that it will not be necessary to relocate the Centro Nacional de Cultura (CENAC) to make way for the Presidencia de la República, but rather to construct a new building.

The Ministra de Cultura, María Elena Carballo, made the announcement yesterday, saying that it is important to keep the CENAC where it is, not only for cultural reasons, but for the country in general, who see that this government is thinking in the future.

So, the new home of the Presidencia de la República will constructed on the front of the east corner of the Parque Nacional, where currently a parking lot exists and only a short distance from the Legislative Assembly.

The Proyecto de Planificación Regional y Urbana del Gran Área Metropolitana PRU-GAM will head the project and define the type of structure. At present there is only the decision to build a new building, but there are no plans on the type, size or cost of construction.

What is clear is that the Presidencia de la República will leave Zapote and president Oscar Arias and his ministers will have a new offices.

Arias has said from the moment he took over office that he did not like the Zapote facility, saying that it is not an adequate centre for the presidency, and has chosen to work mostly from his home in Rohrmoser, where he receives most of the dignitaries that visit Costa Rica.

Carballo said that this is a very important opportunity for the city of San José and to develop a "civic centre" where all branches of power - the legislative, the executive, and the judicial - are integrated in one area.

Currently, Casa Presidencial is the only branch of power that is not located in the downtown core. Both the courts and the legislature are located within walking distance of each other.

The city can now think seriously of integrating a transport system, pedestrian walkways and plant trees to vitalize the area. Carballo added that everyone wins now that we can have a beautiful "Casa Presidencial" that we can all be proud of.

The project is expected to take some time, as the commission has yet to define the plans after listening to public opinion both for and against the move. In the end there were more arguments for the move to San José than against.