SANTO DOMINGO.- Without tenders, the use of a contractor with a questionable record and a US$75 million loan, the Dominican Government aims to build a 150 room hotel, 280 apartments in six towers, a shopping center and a “baseball museum” in a project called the “Juan Marichal Sport and Cultural Center,” whose construction start was announced yesterday.

National Housing Bank (BNV) general manager Joaquin Gerónimo made the announcement yesterday and affirmed that the project would begin when the current Winter Baseball Season concludes, adding that the Quisqueya Stadium will also be remodeled, to meet U.S. Major League Baseball specifications.

In a press conference the official presented the project’s details which he said was designed and is to be built by Jesus Rodriguez Sandoval, whose questionable track record include the scandal of cost overruns to build Samana’s Arroyo Barril International Airport (northeast) and the hotel Gran Prado, an 18 story hulk abandoned more than 15 years ago and whose demolition has been demanded by several sectors who affirm it has become an eyesore in Santo Domingo’s Malecon.

The BNV director said to build the ambitious project, announced by president Leonel Fernandez on February 27, the National Assets Agency transferred 118,000 square meters to the BNV, site of the Quisqueya Stadium and the Coliseum Carlos - Teo- Cruz.

Congress had already approved the contract and Gerónimo said a US$75 million financing contract with Portugal’s Banco Caixa General de Depósitos would be signed at the end of November.