Sections of San Francisco, La Fortaleza and San Sebastián streets in Old San Juan will be reserved for pedestrians on Saturday, November 14, as part of San Juan al Aire Libre, an event running from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Mayor Miguel A. Romero Lugo announced. Participating restaurants may place tables, chairs and umbrellas in authorized outdoor spaces, while artisans and small business owners will have areas to display and sell their products.
San Juan al Aire Libre nos permite darle un uso distinto a estas calles por unas horas y crear una experiencia en la que la gente pueda caminar, entrar a nuestros comercios, disfrutar de la gastronomía y encontrarse con la cultura y el arte del Viejo San Juan
The program will include music, singing, visual arts and activities from the Boulevard de las Artes. "San Juan al Aire Libre nos permite darle un uso distinto a estas calles por unas horas y crear una experiencia en la que la gente pueda caminar, entrar a nuestros comercios, disfrutar de la gastronomía y encontrarse con la cultura y el arte del Viejo San Juan," Romero Lugo said.
The Municipality of San Juan said it will publish details on traffic closures, parking alternatives and public transportation options on its official social media accounts. Plaza de Armas, already open to the public after a $3.17 million rehabilitation, will be one of the main venues. According to Romero Lugo, the exhibit "La Plaza de Armas a través del Tiempo" will feature four bilingual modules on the islet’s history, the plaza’s various uses and the artworks it houses, with nighttime lighting and a digital version readable or listenable via QR code and the sanjuan.pr portal.
Reproductions of details from the stained-glass windows of artist Ernest L. Roselle Brauet, installed at Casa Alcaldía, will also be visible from the plaza. The mayor said the rehabilitation included improvements to sidewalks and access points, new lighting and an interactive sundial, and that artist Luz Badillo restored the sculpture and bench she created in tribute to Tite Curet Alonso.
The day will also mark the reopening of Plaza de Hostos, in the Dársena area. Romero Lugo said the work there included reconstruction of structural slabs, electrical system improvements, new lighting and benches, and rehabilitation of the structures for artisans. The municipality added sculptures inspired by tree shapes and planted a new tree to replace one of the century-old specimens lost after Hurricane María.
Together, the works at Plaza de Armas and Plaza de Hostos represented a $4.74 million investment, according to the municipal government.