By The Star Staff
Governor-elect Jenniffer González Colón has organized a town party in Old San Juan to celebrate her inauguration, featuring performances by local and international artists, including Natti Natasha.
The party, which is slated to start at 2 p.m., will not be funded with public money and will take place at the Plaza del Quinto Centenario, also known as Totem Plaza. Other performers include Algarete, DJ Playero, Joseph Fonseca, Bri La Pelúa, DJ Nelson, Alberto Stylee, Rey Pirin, Ranking Stone and Grupo Manía.
The inauguration ceremonies will take place on Thursday, Jan, 2. They will begin at 8 a.m. with a Mass at Santa Teresita Church on Loíza Street in Santurce, which will be open to the general public.
Early in the morning, several activities will be held at the Capitol, such as the swearing-in of the members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the governor’s Cabinet. After that the cancellation of the pictorial stamp by the United States Postal Service will take place.
Outside the Capitol, on the north side (facing the sea), the swearing-in ceremony for the governor will take place at 10:30 a.m. It is also open to the public.
The governor will then walk from El Capitolio to La Fortaleza, and later join the town party.
A group of musical artists including Ana Isabel, Gisselle, Manny Manuel, Celinés, Lourdes Robles, Juan Vélez, Adeán Cabán Butter, Luna and Hilda Ramos will be part of the morning protocol event, directed by maestro Cuco Peña.
Parking for the general public will be available at La Puntilla, Doña Fela, and Paseo Portuario.
There will be transportation from the Tren Urbano station at stop 26 in Santurce.
On Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 6 a.m. the police assigned to the Capitol will make the initial closure of Avenida Constitución, diverting traffic to Paseo Covadonga at the exit of the Treasury Department. Likewise, Luis Muñoz Rivera Avenue will be closed at the intersection of Rev. Gerardo Dávila, diverting traffic to Avenida Constitución and Paseo Covadonga.
At 4 p.m., the Field Operations Superintendency will extend Avenida Constitución’s closure at the height of Plaza Colón, diverting traffic to the Tapia Theater. Luis Muñoz Rivera Avenue will also be closed at the Esteves (Guardia Nacional) intersection. Police will divert traffic to Avenida Constitución.
On Thursday, Jan. 2, starting at 4 a.m., Highway Patrol will close Luis Muñoz Rivera Avenue at Paseo Caribe, diverting traffic to Manuel Fernández Juncos Avenue. In addition, Fortaleza Street will be closed, diverting traffic to Tetuán Street. Cross-street closures will be made from San Francisco Street to Fortaleza Street.
Motorized personnel will be in charge of local traffic on Paseo Caribe and the Caribe Hilton Hotel; Traffic will be diverted on San Agustín Street. Traffic on Paseo Covadonga will be restricted starting at 4 a.m.
The Puerto Rico Police Bureau said residents will be informed about the traffic control plan for vehicle access to Old San Juan on a continuing basis through official social media.