After 2 years of having inaugurated the Artisans’ Market in San José, the structure continues awaiting for vendors from Calle 13 Bis, to move there. Now, the Municipality of San José (MSJ) is seeking an agreement that allows for a “harmonious transfer” of the artisans.
Johnny Araya, Mayor of San José, said that
the idea is not a forced transfer, but rather an agreed one. That is the message we have given to the artisans, we want to work with them.”
The idea is to have a set plan involving both public institutions and the private sector, so that the Artisan’s Market will become a benchmark of San José.
Both parties have continued a one-year process in the Administrative Court, since the previous administration said at the time they were waiting the issue to be resolved. However, the current mayor said that the case does not interfere with the transfer.
We have studied the issue from a legal point of view and the Administrative Court’s process does not limit the artisans to transfer. The issue in question was the background, it had to do with the Constitutional Court on whether the veto was valid or not, but that was resolved over a year ago, so transferring the artisans is legally possible. But again, we do not see it as a conflict, but as a harmonious process,”
said Araya.
The mayor said that the location of the new structure, near the National Theatre, becomes a place of obligatory visit, so they should think about a strategy to promote it.
The market cost the city about ¢ 1,000 million, and the yearly investment ranges between ¢ 10 and ¢ 15 million.