FEMA APPROVES $6.5 MILLION TO REPAIR THE PUERTO RICO COLISEUM AND
BAHÍA URBANA
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210324/fema-approves-65-million-repair-puerto-rico-coliseum-and-bahia-urbana]


Release Date: 
March 24, 2021 

GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO— The José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum and Bahía
Urbana, two of the most important venues dedicated to promoting the
arts and entertainment sector in Puerto Rico, can return to their
previous state before Hurricane María thanks to an obligation of
nearly $6.5 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA).

These federal funds will help the facilities be better prepared to
face future disasters. In the case of the iconic José Miguel Agrelot
Coliseum, known as the “Choliseo”, the allocation of approximately
$4.9 MILLION is earmarked for permanent works.

“The reconstruction of these sites is part of the recovery of Puerto
Rico’s economic sector; it also sets us on the road to a future
where our structures are more resilient. Undoubtedly, these funds will
help to develop a sector that contributes so much to us,” said the
said the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator for Puerto Rico, José
G. Baquero.

According to the Convention District management, who oversees both
facilities, the entertainment industry in Puerto Rico produces nearly
$2 billion per year and generates approximately 30,000 direct and
indirect jobs annually.

Some of the works to be funded by this federal obligation include the
removal and replacement of glass panels, sound equipment, fire alarms
and acoustic ceilings, among others. In addition, $13,000 was
earmarked for upgrading their lighting fixtures with surge protectors
and replacing existing ceiling panels with water-resistant units.

Mariela Vallines Fernández, executive director of the Puerto Rico
Convention District Authority, said the impact of the federal
obligations is significant. “These facilities compete on a global
level when people decide where they want to travel to and visit; they
are factors that they consider, seeing that these facilities are in
good condition. And for us to be able to present first class
facilities to these tourists, means that we can compete on an equal
footing with any other tourist destination,” she said.

In addition, Vallines Fernández explained that other industries also
benefit indirectly, including transportation, construction and food
related, to mention a few.

On the other hand, Bahía Urbana, a modern concept spanning some 87
acres of waterfront outdoor space and an area for artistic events, was
awarded $1.6 MILLION. These funds are earmarked for repairs for the
water fountain pumping system, resin floors, cobblestones and
electrical wiring in the dock area, among other things.

Engineer Manuel A. Laboy Rivera, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico
Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience, or COR3,
welcomed the obligation of these funds, earmarked for the
infrastructure renewal of these two important venues that foster
cultural development and attract both foreign and local tourists.

“We are certain that the attendance at these venues, which promote
cultural activities, will surpass their pre-Covid-19 pandemic peak
once its spread is controlled. At COR3 we will support the Puerto Rico
Convention District Authority staff in the recovery of these iconic
sites,” concluded the engineer.

[VIDEO] To learn more about the recovery of the José Miguel Agrelot
Coliseum and Bahía Urbana, click here
[https://urldefense.us/v3/__https:/fema.ravnur.com/PublicPage/video/2514.aspx__;!!BClRuOV5cvtbuNI!UGM43DbxbjZWjTmrQnZ2AScpRcS77VuRzh372pxTd-B5_OVKDLftnFDwpT9AVFDglzHq5LqSnSkgu9Y$].

For more information on Puerto Rico’s recovery from Hurricane
María, visit fema.gov/disaster/4339
[http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4339] and recuperacion.pr
[http://www.recuperacion.pr/]. Follow us on our social networks at
Facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico [http://www.facebook.com/FEMAPuertoRico],
Facebook.com/COR3pr [http://www.facebook.com/COR3pr] and Twitter
@COR3pr [https://twitter.com/cor3pr].

 [Picture of the Jose Miguel Agrelot Coliseum wide view. ] 
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (Mar. 19, 2021) – In the case of the iconic
José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, known as the “Choliseo”, the
allocation of approximately $4.9 million is earmarked for permanent
works. Photo FEMA/Eliezer Hernández

 [A boardwalk with a view on the ocean on both sides with Bahia
Urbana.] 
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (Mar. 19, 2021) – Bahía Urbana, a modern
concept spanning some 87 acres of waterfront outdoor space and an area
for artistic events, was awarded $1.6 million. These funds are
earmarked for repairs for the water fountain pumping system, resin
floors, cobblestones and electrical wiring in the dock area, among
other things. Photo FEMA/Eduardo Martínez