Government develops plan to transform area around Taíno Bay Cruise Terminal

Puerto Plata.- The Dominican government is developing a proposed urban transformation project around the Taíno Bay Cruise Terminal in Puerto Plata, aimed at improving public spaces, pedestrian access, and connectivity between the port and the city’s Historic Center.

The initiative, led by Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza in coordination with the Executive Unit for the Redevelopment of Neighborhoods and Surrounding Areas (URBE), would cover areas around the Old Pier, Francisco Alberto Caamaño Avenue, the lower section of Duarte Street, and the former railway line.

According to the preliminary “Puerto Plata Cruise Ship Terminal Master Plan,” the project would include elevated pedestrian walkways, accessibility ramps, improved sidewalks, pedestrian safety islands, bollards, new street furniture, landscaping, lighting, murals, and drainage features.

The plan also proposes restoring the terminus of the former railway line, potentially converting the site into a space with a museum, restrooms for cruise passengers, and tourist information services. The goal is to create a more organized and accessible environment for visitors arriving through the cruise terminal while strengthening connections with the Historic Center and other tourist attractions.

The proposal also calls for relocating the Civil Defense facility currently operating in the area to a site with improved conditions.

Before the project is formally presented, authorities are conducting additional studies on the area’s water table, drainage, and potential flooding risks. Once those assessments are completed, Paliza is expected to present the proposal to the Puerto Plata City Council, where further details about its scope and implementation would be disclosed.