Merida, Yucatan — Some Centro streets normally lined with street vendors were suddenly empty on Wednesday morning.
A permanent operation began at 5 a.m. when municipal police forced street vendors from sidewalks at Calle 56 between 59 and 63.
The operation is promoted by Mayor Renán Barrera, who made it clear that it will be a permanent task, since he reiterated that it is part of his social commitments.
The city for years has tried to free up the Centro’s narrow sidewalks for pedestrians, who often are forced to walk in traffic to pass the vendors. The latest tack appears more forceful than past efforts.
“What we are doing is guaranteeing the proper development of the streets, in coordination with the Municipal Police. It seeks to decongest the streets full of vendors,” he explained.
New market in Caucel City
Barrera Concha explained that part of what is managed in the strategy is to build a new space for merchants, which includes the rehabilitation of the “La Pepita” market next to San Benito, as well as building a new market in Ciudad Caucel.
“It is an issue that will be addressed at the end of the year,” said the mayor, who said he is tapping in a 43-million-peso fund allocated for infrastructure in mid 2020.
Sources: Novedades, Punto Medio