Puerto Plata authorities order demolition of government buildings

Authorities in Puerto Plata have ordered the demolition of several public buildings due to severe structural deficiencies. Following an evaluation by the National Office for Seismic Evaluation and Infrastructure Vulnerability (Onesvie), officials determined that the buildings housing the Provincial Government and the Northern Regional Directorate of the National Police pose a significant collapse risk, particularly in the event of a major earthquake.

The decision also includes the demolition of the historic San Felipe de Puerto Plata Fire Department headquarters, a structure built in 1930 that exhibits cracks in walls and beams.

Both the Provincial Government and the Police have already been relocated to provisional sites. The Governor, Claritza Rochett Peralta de Senior, stated that the demolition of the Luis Ginebra Avenue site will eventually make way for a new building dedicated exclusively to the National Police. The Provincial Development Commission will oversee the construction of the new police headquarters and the new fire department facility.