More protests against planned Financial tower

Members of 15 groups dedicated to preserving Panama’s historical heritage  will demonstrate Sunday, September 25,against the building of a tower on land belonging to Santo Tomas Hospital

The National Front for the Defence and Preservation of Historical, Cultural and Natural Heritage of Panama is protesting the construction of a 70 story “Financial Tower” on the Avenida Balboa site of the former US embassy, and on part of the grounds of Panama’s famed hospital.

Santo Tomas was built in the 1920’s and  dubbed at the time a “white elephant”. The American embassy was demolished after numerous protests by artists, engineers and architects who felt it could be used as useful community center or museum.

The $250 million structure is destined to house government offices, with some space allocated to businesses.

Proponents of the national heritage are calling for clarification clarification on the situation in the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) with the appointment of a new minister, and also  on the implementation of the project .

The  idea of building the 70-story building originated in the MEF. Since the demolition of the embassy there has been little sign of activity on the site.

President Martinelli says it will take two years to build, although much smaller buildings in the area are still unfinished after  over  four years of construction.