Million Dollar Tear Downs Have Begun!

I was out for a run a few weeks ago and on my way back to the house I looked up and a house I walked by a couple hundred times was missing.  Totally gone from where it stood the last time I was in this particular part of town.  These pics are from the fisherman's beach area. There is a road and several large houses that are as close to "beach front" as you can get on this end of town.

Some of the houses have been there for a long time since this is certainly prime real estate for those wanting a house on the beach.  Many of these homes need lots of work to bring needed upgrades and systems to this high rent district in town.  So much work that it appears that buying and tearing down these places has begun.

An older property just a few doors down from this lot is for sale for about $2.5 million USD.  Two doors down the other direction a small new condo complex has been under construction with the penthouse unit going for about $1 million USD and rest of the building's units selling for a bit less.

So, when a buyer has millions of USDs and they know they can just tear down and rebuild something bigger, better with all the modern amenities that will fetch a better return, tearing an older existing place down and building something new is a no brainer.  The time of Sayulita's million dollar tear downs has begun.

Computer rendering.

UPDATE:  This condo complex that I just saw online is now available for sale in this exact location.  4 of the proposed 6 units are already sold pre-construction.  When you can buy a property for a couple million USD, tear it down and sell 6 new units for over 3.3 million USD I'd say the investor appears to have done well enough that this will not be the last tear down and rebuild that we will see in the near future.

Sayulita Scenes - SAYULITA!

New letters appeared in the Plaza just recently.  BIG photo op spot in town.

Sibling Support

So proud of these two. They both raced their hearts out and did amazing in their races today. But what I am most proud of is the support they gave each other. Trace board caddied for Alex and Alex was there at the finish line with hugs for Trace. It makes my heart so big!! It isn’t always like this so I especially enjoy these moments.

Sewer Treatment Plant Improvements Update Part 2 - March 2019

Just a quick update on the emissor pipe installation for the upgraded sewer treatment plant.  The work has begun connecting the pipes and attaching the concrete weights to keep the pipe from coming to the surface.  Interesting to watch.  Photos by Capas Sayulita and Ed Dorsett.

Sewer Treatment Plant Improvements Update - March 2019

From Sayulita Life El Sayulero March 5, 2019.

As many of you have noticed, professional workers and engineers have begun the construction and placement of the new emissor at the river bed which connects to the main beach.  This is part of an ongoing project from Sayulita’s new Sewage Treatment Plant. I talked with key members from the board of Grupo Pro Sayulita, who began this project several years ago and remain the liasons with the government officials now in charge of the plant and project. All of the projects have been designed to upgrade previous wastewater management systems. Phase 1 began more than two years ago, and phase 3, being done now, will be completed in the next few weeks.

When and why did this project first begin? 

Until about two years ago, Sayulita suffered from occasional spills of grey and black water in Gaviotas street, where it connects with Calle Navarrete. These problems occurred during the rainy season, when rain water overwhelmed the old system in place. Grupo Pro Sayulita partnered with other government associations of Sayulita and Bahía de Banderas to understand this problem and solve it. Old and insufficient pumping was found, and it was discovered that the holding tank in the wastewater plant, known as a carcamo, was too small for our growing town. The upgrade to our current treatment plant doubled the capacity of the holding tank.

What was phase 1 of this project? What are the other phases?

Over two years ago, Grupo Pro Sayulita partnered with Oromapas, CEA and CONAGUA. Grupo Pro created an infrastructure committee and funds that worked with these government agencies and local and international engineers in order to authorize the needed work and fund it. At that time, CEA and CONAGUA agreed to provide the necessary permits, and Grupo agreed to fund phase 1, now known as the “Gaviotas Project”. Also, at this same time, Conagua and CEA agreed to create phase 2 and fund it. Phase 2 included the repair and upgrade of the waste management plant itself. These organizations also agreed to plan and fund phase 3, the underwater emissor. Over the last year, phase 2 was completed; now phase 3, the emissor, will be complete in the next several weeks.

How does an underwater emissor work? 

Emissors are the most common form of wastewater management systems in the world, and are used all over Latin America, the US, and Canada. The emissor was designed by completing a wave and ocean study to ensure that the pipe does not disturb the reef, and to ensure it is located in a place that is safe for both ocean life and humans.  Our emissor will send treated water 2.3 km from the coast; it will be attached to the ocean floor and sit about 60m down from the surface. The treated water released can then be further broken down by natural ocean chemicals and effectively become food for ocean animals. This system will allow us to not put treated water into the river bed, and will allow the natural estuary of the river mouth to return. This is the work being completed now. 

What would you say to skeptics, or those who think this project will not work or is even more harmful to the environment?

There are many who do not understand this project and who do not understand just how common it is throughout the world. The reason it is so commonly used is that it is not a complicated system, and it works. For two years, we met with teams of wastewater engineers from all over the world, and every single one of them landed on this solution. In this consultation process, environmental protection was the first goal. The water will be treated from the treatment plant and discharged more than 2km from the coast, where it will be mixed with seawater without any negative consequences for marine flora and fauna. There are also those who are worried that the emissor will change the path of the waves; this is simply not going to happen because it is a pipe of just over 20cm in diameter, which will be fastened with concrete bases every four meters, and will be semi-buried, so as to not alter the ecosystem.

When do you anticipate the project to be completed? 

The treatment plant is ready to go and is waiting to be connected to the emissor. The emissor is scheduled to be completed in the next several weeks, however that does depend on the conditions of the ocean. We will be working with Conagua to publicly announce the completion of the emissor when finalized.

*Written by: Aanya Sheikh-Taheri

Emissor pipe staging in the river.

Photo by Sayulita Life

Trench digging at the river mouth during low tide.

Photo by Sayulita Life

This is a REALLY big deal for our pueblo.  With town's rapid growth and the years of mismanagement of the treatment plant/equipment the town's sewer situation needed tons of help.  Now the plant will have a new life with repaired equipment, a new larger holding tank, proper sized lines feeding the plant and a 2km emissor pipe taking treated water out to sea.  Official full capacity operation is so very close!

Sayulita Scenes - Malpaso

This is also Sayulita.  Just north of Sayulita the beach of Malpaso stretches out towards San Pancho.  As of yet there there is no development and it is just a short hike from the busy local beaches.  Beautiful!

Photo by Ashley

A New Casa...In 2019?!?!?!? Construction Update - March 1st

February saw more finishing going on at the house.  We think these will be the last priority items on the exterior list for the short term.  We still would like a door to the property at the sidewalk and a driveway gate but those are down the road a ways.

Speaking of driveway....we now have one!!!  Once the cistern was buried, our guy Antonio took to selecting and placing each stone.  After over a week we had our driveway and it is beautiful!  People actually stand at the end of the driveway and admire Antonio's work.  Selecting a cobble stone driveway was a good choice to mix of the materials a bit.  Had we known that Trace was showing a real interest in basketball perhaps we would have chosen something that was more friendly to shooting some hoop but we are super happy with what we have.

The other big item for the front of the house was the iron work.  We had bars installed on the apartment window.  When we lived in this space we could never really feel good about leaving the window open when we left the house.  Plus the window is a bit hidden from view behind the stairs so it was really a case of providing some basic security and allowing for ventilation.  Clean, sharp and functional.

The other items completed were roof structures over the main house entrance and over the apartment terrace.  We used the same iron and polycarbonate combination as we did in the upper house.  The main entrance got one to deflect the rain off and away from the front landing.  As it was it was only protected by the 1 meter overhang of the upper floor and the landing was 2 meters deep.  So, when it rained most everything on the landing got wet like shoes and you got soaked when standing at the front door finding your keys.  Now the entire landing is protected and actually provides a small quiet area to hang out.

The second roof structure to go in was over the apartment terrace.  I have been waiting for this one to go in for a while.  We think the apartment is going to be a great space for anyone staying there and the new roof just makes things even better.  Ashley had ordered cushions for the built in couch. Once we get a few plants and some additional seating in the space it will provided an additional room to use 12 months a year rather than only when it isn't raining.  The polycarbonate allows the light through as well so the reduction of light in the apartment is minimal if at all.

I will take me some time to get accustomed to the look and I am not entirely pleased with it for some reason but I think I know why.  Some softening of the space is needed with some other materials and Ashley is the specialist on that front.  The polycarbonate needs to be trimmed a bit closer to the frame so it does not look so floppy.  (I know, I know. Relax. Right?)  It will all work out in the end and be awesome but the details matter.  Regardless of what I think, we are in our home and it has been awesome so far.

So what is next?  A couple things are in the works.  We are trying to nail down a carpenter(no pun intended) to complete some work in the apartment and a few things in the main house.  Shower glass has been ordered for all the bathrooms.  More finishes are needed and a few furniture items need to be considered along with the process of selecting and planting the front beds.  There is always something but our primary focus is finishing the apartment by the end of the month for our first visitors(aka "the grandparents"!) to arrive.  Good motivation to get things done.

Trace "Got Game"!

At the kid's school there are clubs offered.  Trace participates in two of them.  One of them is photography and the other is basketball.  That's right, basketball.  A perfectly normal sport to play for most kids growing up but I know of only two hoops in the entire town.  Surfing and soccer are easily the most popular here.  Growing up it seemed like we were always watching the Boston Celtics on TV.  Every school yard and park had several courts or at least hoops to shoot at.  From the time I was in 5th grade we played basketball in gym class and intramural leagues were offered after school.  I even played on teams in high school not that I was really very good.  We always had a hoop in the driveway as did many families.  If I was bored going outside to shoot a few baskets was always an option. Not so much here.

Having really no previous experience with the sport, Trace has really taken to the basketball club program, his coach and learning a new activity that is not on the water.  Shocker!!  Basketball is also his first real "team" sport as well.  Athletics, especially team sports, teaches important lessons growing up so I have always felt good about the kids getting involved in anything they have an interest in.  Most of their activities have been group sports but not necessarily ones where you rely on other team mates during competition.  Certainly a different experience for Trace.

Photo by Paula.  Trace on the right.

The basketball club traveled to its first real games away from school this week and Trace was pretty excited.  Ashley was out of town and I was waiting on contractors at the house so we were not able to attend but Trace came back super stoked about the whole experience.  He played with the kids his own age and then played with the older kids as well to fill in when someone needed a rest.  He had comments about the game, the reffing, the other team's players and even the equipment.  I have never really heard him "talk basketball" before so it was fun to listen and ask him game related questions and get real game experience answers.

Photo by Paula.  Trace center.

His club team sounds like it will be participating in a real basketball tournament at the end of March. Efforts to get uniforms made up are even underway!  We will make sure we will be there for that but at the same time try not put any pressure on him with family cheering for him and the team.  Looks like I will have to go to watch a game or two with him during the NBA playoffs at the Sayulita Public House so we can talk hoops over tacos, tequila and a lemonade.

Sayulita Scenes - Early Morning SUP Surf

I cannot tell whether Trace is checking to make sure dad is ok on a demanding day or whether he is making sure I wasn't going to take his wave.  Either way, fun shot of the two of us out early in Sayulita.

Photo by Spencer Ian Harris

Sayulita Scenes - Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Photo by Amy Daniels

Just a fantastic photo by our friend, Amy Daniels, of La Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe just off the Plaza here in Sayulita.

A New Casa...In 2019?!?!?!? Yep, Another Construction Update

With the contractor all but vanishing from any responsibilities here I have taken it upon myself to get things done.  (We still owe him money so we are not sure why he hasn't come slithering around.)  It is extremely liberating to go out and find contractors, talk to people for references, get pricing and implement a particular project.  I have control now for the most part and do not have to go through the contractor's BS and delays to get things done.  That time is over.  Game on!

So, what's been happening?  Thanks to having a little money free up to spend thanks to the Park City house selling, we decided to get some iron work done and finish the driveway.

The driveway was on hold for so long due to the new street surface and sidewalks being installed.  We just couldn't predict at what height the driveway needed to be to connect to the sidewalk and begin this project.  This project included a meter tall wall along the neighboring church, a 5000 liter cistern buried under the driveway and all the electrical pumps, wiring and plumbing hook ups.  The guys who were doing the work were a small group who splintered off from the contractor including the foreman, Antonio.  Antonio knows the house as well as anyone and wouldn't be surprised about anything he may find while getting the project done.  Plus he is a good guy, shows up and works hard everyday.  He doesn't always get it right but he is a guy I could trust.

The damn thing is stuck!

The big part of the project was digging the hole for the cistern.  The blue plastic bin was to be buried in a round concrete block chamber with a reinforced lid strong enough so a car could be parked on it.  So the system was that the city water supply would fill the 5000 liter cistern.  If the rooftop tanankos needed water a sensor would alert the cistern pump and send water to the roof.  Town water supply to driveway cistern to rooftop tanankos to house supply. After a few days work the day arrived to drop this large blue water jug into the hole and.....it did not fit!  Whaaaat?  No matter how they tried to drop it in the hole it was just too big for the chamber they built.  Freaking great!  Antonio even went to the supplier to get the dimension specs of the cistern before building this thing so he was confused and probably kicking himself for not making this chamber a few centimeters bigger.  At this stage of the project I just let things roll.  Antonio would make it right...somehow.

Well, it turns out that the cistern has a thicker rib that runs around the circumference of the tank that is not included on the specs and this was what was holding things up.  So, for a half day they chipped away at the interior of the chamber to make a few more centimeters of room for the tank to drop into.  That done the tank dropped nice into place and worked continued on other things.  The wall began to take shape, the final level for the driveway was determined and the plumbing and electrical could be installed.  Oh, did I mention our lovely original contractor ran the plumbing for the cistern to supply the rooftop tanankos but failed to provide any means of communication between the two locations.    So, we needed to cut a channel into the finished face of the house to run a conduit 5 stories up to the tananko location.  Idiot!!

Cistern access and string lines set for the driveway finish.

Stone awaits placement for the driveway.

Our "jefe", Antonio, fitting each stone carefully into place.

At the same time as the driveway was being finished the iron workers showed up to installed a whole bunch of stuff.  This crew was recommended to me by two people and the owner seemed to be a decent guy so I was eager to see just how they operated and the quality of the work.

The first day they showed up it was a group of about 6 guys and they just stood in the driveway, then sat down already defeated.  They knew they would have to figure out how to get all their gear like welding equipment, compressors, hoses, hand tools, power tools and all the materials to the roof since this is where the install for the interior courtyard roof was located...essentially 5 stories up.  So, they developed a human chain of sorts.  The gear went up the stairs but all the materials went from truck to apartment terrace to roof of church and from roof of church to roof of house to be installed one level up from there.  Whew.  I felt a little bad for the guys but I could tell they were laughing at the situation as well and not really too upset about the number of stairs associated with the job.  Turns out they just got done with job that had even more steps and they had been there for weeks.

They made pretty quick work of the roof structure and by the end of day two they were done to make room for the polycarbonate sheets.  Once those went in we had a totally new space and it was odd that this area that had been open to the sky for so long suddenly had proportions.  The design we had in our heads for the space was taking shape in real life.  With a little work to do to make it "secure" we are now mostly protected from the weather and all the debris that comes down off the tree but yet still get all the light and airflow.

While the lid was finishing other work was going on.  On the roof they had a painting station set up so that whatever they installed was freshly painted and did not show the scars of being tied down to a rack of a pick up truck.  Railings went in on the roof and inside the house and the super cool stair stringer was installed that we will have parota wood treads made for at some point.  All day long they were welding, grinding, painting and installing pretty much right in the living room of the house so each day they left behind a layer of dirt, welding soot and grinding dust all over everything and fumes of spray paint.  All that said, we cannot really complain since working in a mostly finished space is not where welding should be taking place anyway.  Our fault there with our project timing but we are certainly glad to be over the hump on that and beginning to see the spaces evolve.

Metal stringer for stairs.  Wood treads yet to be installed.

Smoke and fire.

Rooftop terrace railing.

Rooftop terrace railing and view.

Main stairs railing.

The 2 steel doors were one of the remaining items on the roof.  We needed to secure the doorways from the house to the utilities at the back of the house and from the house to the rooftop terrace.  We decided on steel since they would not be seen like the front or bodega doors and provide added security in locations that were not really visible should someone stop by uninvited.  Super bomber and we designed them so they looked similar to the front doors keeping them looking like they were in the same family.

Ashley arrives in just a few days and I am happy she can come home without too much construction going on and see the big changes.  We will be talking about the next phase(whatever that means) while she is here and can compare "to do" lists and make this place more of what we want it to be.

It's been busy.  More to come!