Santo Domingo.- The Inter-AmericanDevelopment Bank´s (IDB) representative in the country on Tuesday said theColonial Zone is starting to gain economic momentum as the result of investmentand tourism promotion by the Government and other entities.
Flora Montealegre notedhowever that the refurbishing of historic buildings and structures,construction of streets and sidewalks and other work in the area have led tocontroversy and confrontations between the authorities, merchants and residents.
She cited thecollapse of part of the colonial era Hotel Frances last May and the revampingof the Ruinas de San Francisco site.
She said the governmentinvestment in the Colonial City will transform the lives oof the historic center´sresidents and tourists.
Montealegre spoke inthe Central Bank to present the study on "Demographic and economicscenario of the Colonial City," sponsored by the Tourism Ministry.