From Museum to Hotel: Ricardo Salles’ Plans for Rio’s Botanical Garden

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Minister of Environment, Ricardo Salles, intends to convert a museum into a boutique hotel, with the support of private enterprise; however, the population does not approve of the idea.

As far as the Federal Government is concerned, the Environment Museum, located within the Botanical Garden in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, should be converted into a boutique hotel.

Minister of Environment Ricardo Salles was at the site last Monday, November 30th, and left with this intention, which will have the support of private business.

Salles’ concept, however, is starting to produce negative reactions and is not likely to be easily passed. The ex-mayor and now city councilor Cesar Maia, for one, who disagrees with the case, disclosed that he will draft a bill at the Rio city council to use eminent domain, thereby preventing it from being converted into a hotel.

Opposition to the idea also comprises residents of the Botanical Garden, a Facebook group on the neighborhood, and fans of the museum in general.

Salles is said to be considering making other concessions of the same kind in Brazil.

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