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Dominican Republic – Santo Domingo locals reject Dominican’s Hard Rock Casino
By Phil - 27 July 2016
Residents have voted to reject the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino currently under construction in capital Santo Domingo.
Members of a number of neighbourhood councils have reiterated their rejection of the mega resort Hard Rock & Casino due to the negative impact that the largest casino in the city would have on what is a primarily a residential zone. Residents reiterated in a public hearing their objection to the height and density of the construction of the new casino and hotel, a 38-story tower in an area where they say buildings may only stand at 23 stories high.
After a number of hours of tense debate, in which residents outlined the negative consequences which they said the casino would bring to the area, the public debate over the issue was called off. Representatives of the Ministry of Environment have ordered the promoters of the project to present specific information on the design of the new casino specifically how it will impact the local community in a new public hearing.
Marketing Manager of Hard Rock, Sergio Rivera told local press before the debate: “We want to clarify the status of the project and answer any questions. A project of this magnitude may not be developed without permits.”
Mario Méndez, Vice President of World Ecotourism & Environmental Projects Co (EMPACA), the company responsible for the environmental impact study of the hotel, also defended the new project and said that the hotel is being developed with respect to local laws and all work carried out thus far has been done “in full compliance” with local regulations.
In February a committee of school staff and residents in the neighbourhood of Piantini asked the Ministry of Finance to deny a licence for the casino which will be part of the Hard Rock Hotel. The establishment will have an area of 23,000 square feet, two bars, a race and sports book, 400 slot machines and 40 tables, plus a private room for high level players.
Then in March a total of 3,000 families joined forces to oppose the new plans for the casino and concerned locals made the request via an open letter to Simón Lizardo, Minister of Finance. In the letter locals expressed their “categorical rejection of the installation of a casino in the heart of Piantini” because the casino is “completely incompatible” with a residential neighbourhood with so many schools, especially given the fact that the new casino would be one of the largest in the country.
