Construction at Last

Things often move at a glacially slow pace in Mexico, and that is certainly the case with reconstruction after the earthquake that occurred in September of 2017.  More than seven years later, you still see empty lots and abandoned buildings that were structurally damaged.

I was not in Mexico when that quake occurred, but I was already renting the condominium apartment that I purchased last year when I decided to move permanently to Mexico City.  Fortunately my neighborhood stands on bedrock and suffered minimal damage.  In my apartment there was no damage at all other than a couple pieces of broken glassware.

However, you may recall that the building where I had rented an Airbnb apartment numerous times on earlier trips did suffer structural damage.  That building was in the Condesa neighborhood that was severely hit in the quake.  Unlike some nearby structures, it did not collapse, but the owners of the apartments had to leave the building while the decision was made whether or not it should be torn down.  If you are a long time reader of this blog, you may remember that I occasionally pass by to see what is going on there.  It was probably more than a year after the quake before the building was torn down.  For a long time the lot remained empty, blocked by a tall barrier with a sign saying that reconstruction would take place.  The pandemic most likely delayed rebuilding, but even after that, when I would go down that street and peer through cracks in the barrier, I could see no sign of work.  Finally, earlier this year, I saw some construction materials and a bulldozer on the site.  Then, the other day when I picked up my mail, there was a large piece of equipment and a half dozen workers.  Excavation had begun for building the foundation.

I have no idea where the former residents of the building have lived in the intervening years, or if they will return when the new condominium is completed.  Time will tell how long it takes for a new building to rise on this site where I had spent many pleasant trips to Mexico City.