On Tuesday, San José started building the first phase of the San José Possible Project, a pedestrian boulevard that will stretch 16 blocks along 4th Avenue.  Two complementary walkways that run north and south will intersect with Avenida 4 - one along Calle 2 on the east side of downtown and one along Calle 3 on the west side.  Mayor Johnny Araya did the honors with several other dignitaries on hand.

The project is scheduled for completion next January. The budget is set at 1.6 million euros, about $2.1 million (1.1 billion colones).  Half of the funding was donated by the European Union and the other half is from the City of San José. Municipal officials expect the project to revitalize the area’s commerce, boost investments by developers and to create capitol that is more functional, competitive, sustainable, and habitable.

The project’s architect is Eduardo Brenes, and the design was led by the Institute of Tropical Architecture, whose plans call for 17,000 square meters of renovations by the general contractor Constructora Montero S.A.

Plans include the demolition of structures in the public areas, replacement of the drinking water network and the sewer system, modification of storm sewers and other work to some of the power lines in the area.