Guadalajara breaks ground on $270 mil aquarium, could nix Puerto Vallarta’s plans

Guadalajara’s El Parque Alcalde has broken ground on Acuario Michin Guadalajara, a 32,000 sq ft aquarium that will host over 130 species at a cost of $270 million pesos. 'Acuario Michin Guadalajara' will be fully funded by private investments, according to the city mayor, Ramiro Hernandez. The contract was rewarded to the developers by the city with the agreement the aquarium will maintain at least 50% of the green space at the park, and provide 10,000 tickets to DIF. Construction of the new aquarium is expected to start this month and generate 500 construction jobs in the city until its completion in 2017. The aquarium will employ over 150 full-time employees. The city of Puerto Vallarta had hoped to be the first city in Jalisco to open an aquarium, something that has been discussed with private investors for several years.  Recently the port authority suggested that no plans for the aquarium in Puerto Vallarta have been drawn but they had hoped to start construction in the first half of 2016. The fate of a Puerto Vallarta aquarium is unclear with the announcement of Guadalajara’s construction beginning. An aquarium in Puerto Vallarta would likely depend on travelers from Guadalajara, which will be less likely with an aquarium in the capital city and more centrally located to attract statewide tourists.