One of the most emblematic tourist areas of the Puerto commune is undoubtedly the English Quarter, with its cobblestone streets and pastel-colored mansions, built in Oregon pine and with large balconies that reflect the history and splendor that was experienced at the end of the century. 19th and early 20th centuries, with a thriving port and trade dominated by businessmen mainly from Europe.
With ups and downs in its history, the installation of commerce, mainly gastronomic, the neighborhood has been a meeting point for bohemia and nighttime entertainment.
With the passage of time, security problems and the costly maintenance of the buildings caused the closure of some premises, so revitalizing this neighborhood is a complex task, remembering that it is a Historical Conservation Area and that, despite the various interventions, these are lost over the years.
One of the actions that began in the month of March is the English Quarter Tourist Reactivation Roundtable that seeks to revitalize this area, highlighting its heritage value and its contribution to tourism, considering that it is the gateway to the arrival of cruise ships with thousands of international visitors.
This table is led by the Municipality of Coquimbo, Puerto Coquimbo and TPC, and is also integrated by various services, such as the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage, CORFO, SERCOTEC and SERNATUR, and its work will extend until June, with a methodology divided into commissions so that at the end of this instance a comprehensive Plan is presented with tourist routes, improvement of spaces, activation of commerce and dissemination to enhance the economic, social, cultural and tourist development of the English Quarter.
The director of SERCOTEC, Pascal Lagunas, explains that, for a year and a half, through the “Commercial Neighborhoods” program, they have been working on the reactivation and diversification of this area together with 15 entrepreneurs from the neighborhood. For Lagunas, these actions must be strengthened with a constant dialogue between the private world and the different institutions and services.
“We hope that this instance will be an important support so that these businessmen can continue to maintain their economic activities that have been so hard hit, but they have a great impetus to continue strengthening the English Quarter and thus, it can once again be the meeting point and tourism of yesteryear”.
Tourist value
For her part, the regional director of the National Tourism Service, Angélica Funes, highlighted that the neighborhood is included in the places to visit by the Study Tours program, and every time a course arrives from the different national schools, they live the experience of the English Carpenter Route, walking through its streets and learning about part of the history of the port community.
“We also have it incorporated into our dissemination material and tourist maps due to the relevance that this sector has through its houses and families that once lived in the sector, the Plaza Vicuña Mackenna, which is one of the oldest in the commune. , among many other attractions. We value the effort that many businessmen make to maintain this civic center and of course the work of the Municipality of Coquimbo,” he explained.
Asked about how the tourism profile of the sector can be enhanced and maximized, Funes pointed out that they are part of the Reactivation Table that the Municipality is developing, and that they agree on what should be improved and work from different approaches.
“We are working safely for those who visit this sector, attract new investors and continue developing activities that give more life, through the cultural centers that exist like the Palace. A permanent portfolio of activities, accompanied by gastronomic, entertainment and other services, will improve the profile and will surely once again be dynamic and attractive, this neighborhood that was once the center of entertainment for the port community and thousands of visitors who enjoyed it every year. a year.”
Voice of entrepreneurs
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the tenants of the English Quarter, and owner of the Kzibar, Rodrigo Álvarez, pointed out that the association he represents is about to be formally formed as a union association with at least 17 tenants from different sectors, including auto parts, cafeterias, and minimarkets.
“What we are looking for is to return to the ‘golden era’ of the sector, although expectations are one thing and municipal management another. When the English Quarter left (2004) it had an important injection of resources. A lot of money was invested in the restoration of facades, for the authorization of permits, lighting and security, paving with cobblestones and remodeling of squares, and that led us to have about 70 registered premises. This was also achieved with officials who carried out good support management,” said Álvarez, who warns that currently the sector does not present its best face.
“We would like to return to that level, but as long as there is no political will to finance it, it will be more difficult. The facades of several of the buildings that participated in the project are being restored, cameras have been installed to provide more security for tenants and visitors. We are in the process of contributing to the neighborhood, working as a team with representatives of the municipality, but in the heritage issue it is very complex to make any intervention. With political will the processes could be faster. We think that the steps are a little slow, because we have delivered the required proposals. Within everything there are expectations. We know that there are announcements and we hope that the decisions that have to be made are made soon,” said the entrepreneur.
