These were the words of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza as he led the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday of the Rizal Avenue pedestrianization project, an ambitious effort to breathe new life on that darkened portion of downtown Manila that had been overtaken in the past years by urban blight.
Atienza said the first phase of the project, which he expects to be finished in two months, involves the redevelopment of the northbound lane of Rizal Avenue from Recto Avenue to Carriedo street. The road would be raised to the level of the sidewalk and paved with interlocking stone blocks similar to the ones used for the Roxas Boulevard Baywalk and the Muelle del Rio Linear Park on the south bank of the Pasig River.
Redevelopment of the southbound lane of Rizal Avenue, also from Recto Avenue to Carriedo street would follow. The center island and the steel railings on both sides would be removed to make the pedestrian shopping strip and promenade more spacious.
Starting last Sunday, the northbound lane of Rizal Avenue from Carriedo up to Claro M. Recto have been closed to vehicular traffic. Northbound vehicles have been re-routed to the southbound lane of Rizal Avenue, while southbound vehicles are made to turn right at Claro M. Recto Avenue, left to Misericordia street, left to Ongpin street, right upon reaching Plaza Sta. Cruz and left toward McArthur Bridge.
"The ones who would really benefit from this project, aside from the consumers, would be the property owners and businessmen in the are because I am sure that business would greatly improve once the area is developed into a pedestrianized shopping strip and promenade," Atienza said.
He pointed out that even if only 10 percent of commuters who ride the LRT 1 line, estimated at about 500,000 per day, would go down and shop in the area, this would mean a substantial increase in business for the establishment owners.
Outdoor cafes and dining places would be set up on the center of the strip where shoppers can go to dine, have coffee and relax.
The project, Atienza said, is expected to boost business in the area.
Atienza appealed to the general public to bear with the inconvenience even as he urged the property owners and business establishment owners in the area to fully cooperate with the city government so that the project could be finished in the fastest possible time.