Big projects to bring progress to Santiago de los Caballeros

Santo Domingo._ Several costly projects are going up in Santiago de los Caballeros, the Dominican Republic´s second largest city. In addition to the new airport, a mega hospital and a large deluxe hotel are in advanced stages of construction. Together the projects amount to over US$58.17 millions.

The Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago is luring Dominican health practitioners in the United States to come home to practice. The center promises to offer the most sophisticated medical services.

The 11-floor/200-bed hospital is scheduled for completion in December. It has space for 195 doctors´ offices and a commercial area for 25 stores.

The Gran Hotel Cibao, a luxury establishment that hopes to compete with the Gran Almirante, will have 400 rooms, a casino, discotheque, four restaurants, night club and parking for 1,200 vehicles. It will also feature a convention center that seats 2,000. A spa will be incorporated, as well as courts for tennis, volleyball and basketball. A golf course is also in the plans. The hotel is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2003.