New Panamanian Cities

Latin America’s First “Branded City” Planned for Panama Gold Coastwith 10,000 Homes

Meneren Corporation, a US-based international project development/project management company today announced that it expects to resume completion of the detailed master plan for a 3,000 Hectare waterfront community along the Gold Coast of Panama, in Cocle Province.

The preliminary master plan for this new community was crafted by internationally recognized North American master planning firms in 2006. It provided for 10,000 residential units situated on a series of golf courses, fresh and salt water marina’s, and an equestrian center.

The incorporation of a Village Center, with commercial and retail space, an Ecological Center, several resort hotels, casino’s and spa’s, combine to create what is called a “Branded City” in booming overseas markets. Branded Cities have been very successful because their Developers have the ability to plan, design and build a fully sustainable community from the ground up. Grand Panama, as it is being called, will have an ultimate population of 25,000 and provide post-construction employment for an estimated 5,000 Panamanian’s.

Grand Panama, will be designed and constructed using important “Sustainable Development” principles. Meneren Corporation was previously selected by the United Nations to complete a specialized development master plan to protect one of the most sensitive ecological treasures in the Eastern Hemisphere, and Meneren hopes to make Grand Panama one of the “greenest” large scale projects in the America’s—something that the people of Panama can be especially proud of.

Meneren Corporation and its technical team have global experience in planning commercial marina’s and commercial cruise terminals, and believe that integrating a “mega-yacht” harbor into the Grand Panama master plan will benefit locals and international visitors to Panama and the region.

The initial master plan effort for Grand Panama was suspended when the land which had been sold to Grand Panama International Ltd, Meneren’s Client, became entangled in one of the most contentious Probate Court disputes in Panama’s history. After a year and a half of intimidating charges and counter charges between the Legatee’s and the Executor of the estate, Meneren is now hoping that the land purchase can be allowed to go forward by the Panama’s courts in order to finalize the master plan and Government permitting process over the next months.

Old Howard Air Force Base to Be New City of 20,000 Homes

The former Howard military base will be converted into a “hub of world class business and commerce,” with residential and recreational areas as well.

The master plan for the development of the former Howard military base has been approved by the Agencia del Área Económica Especial Panamá Pacífico (AAEEPP). The plan was submitted by London & Regional Properties (L&P), one of the biggest private property companies in Europe.

L&P secured the development deal, one of the world´s largest, earlier this year. The company will embark on its eight-year development program beginning in early 2008. L&R hopes to position the former base as a world class global investment, commercial and leisure destination.

The master plan envisions a variety of uses for the 2,750-acre site, including a technology park, residential areas of varying density that can accommodate some 20,000 homes, trade centers, hotels, a resort and a golf course.

“What we are going to build is a hub of world class business and commerce. And at the same time, a high-quality urban environment, which maintains the character of a garden city, said a spokesperson.

The city will house mainly workers and executives of the companies installed there, but that does not exclude the possibility that others may be able to buy in to the area.

Some companies have been offered special incentives to set up shop in the new Howard, including call centers, logistics services, high-tech manufacturing, data centers and companies involved in aircraft maintenance and repair. – LA PRENSA

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