Cancun, Q.R. — Cancun City Council is working with the owner on the recovery of two abandoned buildings in SM 69. Both buildings, which have been reported for recent fires, are known to be used by homeless people.
On Friday, various city personnel carried out the recovery of two properties on José López Portillo Avenue. The properties are two buildings formerly known as Hotel-Posada Acapulco. Cancun Mayor Ana Paty Peralta said they have been “turned into hotbeds of infection and areas of frequent fires.”
Four people found living inside the old buildings were relocated with city help. According to Cancun City Hall, four homeless people were rescued who accepted the help of the Municipal Institute Against Addictions (IMCA).
In an interview, IMCA Director Alberto Ortuño Báez emphasized that on Friday morning they implemented the operation in coordination with the Municipal Secretariat of Citizen Security and Traffic (SMCyT), Fire Department, Animal Protection and Welfare Directorate, the General Directorate of Ecology, the General Directorate of Public Services and IMCA.
“When the operation was carried out, we found four homeless people with addictions. We spoke with them and the four men accepted help. We will proceed with their admission.
“Two will be in a rehabilitation center and the other two will be in a clinic, separately. We continue to provide assistance as directed by Mayor Ana Paty Peralta. These individuals enter the rehabilitation process and then we continue with their social reintegration,” he explained.
He also detailed that during the property recovery operation, three dogs were found, which were immediately attended to by the Directorate of Animal Protection and Welfare and the General Directorate of Ecology, for their safekeeping and appropriate care.
Likewise, the General Directorate of Public Services undertook the general cleanup on the reclaimed properties, using large machinery including dump trucks and a backhoe.
This work project has been supported by the owner’s prior authorization. The municipality, through its Advisory Coordination, is in constant communication with the owner to repurpose the space.
On October 2, city firemen attended to resident reports of another fire inside the old building. The fire was reportedly started by homeless people who frequent the abandoned site. It was the fourth time this year city firemen were called to that location.
