I can take a stab at a few of them.
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How many hotels, such as the SL or Presidente, existed 5/6 years ago?
Basically all the hotels that are in the core area of San Jose existed 5 or 6 years ago. Some under a different name, I think the SL was called the Aoki or something similar. The Sleep Inn is the only real newcomer.
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What was the cost/rent for a condo or house as compared to today?
A lot of that answer depends on the area. Some areas La Sabana, Pavas, etc. have basically just stayed the same when adjusted for inflation. The far west suburbs, Escazu, San Ana, etc. have increased at a higher rate but even the increases there were tempered by the collapse of "The Brothers"
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Can any member remember when there was no Pedestrian Walkway if front of the Presidente?
Remember it very well. There was no News Café, no rail at that time.
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And what does anyone think of the current and future development of the Central District in San Jose?
A plan is on the drawing boards (which can mean years away or never in CR) to turn Avenida 4 from Calle 7 to Calle 6 into a pedestrian mall and renew the whole area. Should that come to fruition it may lead to a new residential area in downtown.
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Will regentrification efforts such as re-opening the rail line from places such as Heredia to downtown and newer commercial and residential development downtown spur further growth?
If the rail line to Heredia is modeled on the recent opening of the Pavas-San Pedro line it will have no impact on downtown growth in my opinion. The Pavas line was suppose to reduce traffic congestion but I have seen no evidence of that.
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Pura Vida

Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine
