The developer who won the contract to build the complex to house 5,000 athletes in downtown Guadalajara has told architects they must modify their original designs.

Bosco Gutierrez Cortina says the economic downturn makes it essential that the project is “financial viable,” which means more a harmonious design and consistent use of building materials.

Back in early 2008, 12 architects came up with designs for 13 buildings that were to be converted into 1,500 apartments and sold once the Pan American Games ended. Meanwhile, city hall successfully persuaded many home and business owners to sell their properties around the park for prices above the market average.

The individualistic designs were praised for their creativity and the architects lauded for their long-term vision.

After learning of the u-turn last week, most of the architects expressed willingness to work with the developer on adjusting their plans, but a few fear the real aim of Guadalajara authorities is to scrap the original designs for the village and start anew.

Fernando Gonzalez Gortazar, who comes from a long line of Guadalajara architects (his grandfather built the Chapala railway station), decided to abandon the project.

“I’m not sure how dependable the original financial studies of the project were,” the architect said. “But what’s obvious is that the economic climate is totally different than before.”

Gonzalez warned that too much tampering with the original concept could have negative repercussions. “You must give a space for creativity to achieve a finished product that doesn’t exclude diversity.”

The original plan was that the apartments would sell to high-income families earning between 30,000 and 40,000 pesos a month. By building a more austere complex, families with incomes of around 20,000 pesos will now be able to afford the properties.

Opposition councilors say the city must be careful because it has already spent 30 million pesos on architects’ fees and studies for the village. Mayor Alfonso Petersen says the actual figure is only 17 million pesos and that the money was not wasted as plans needed to be done to move the project forward. Some architects, including Gortazar, say they are still owed money for their designs.

According to city hall’s work schedule, construction of the Pan American Games village must begin by October 5.

Further criticism of the mayor has come from Jose Luis Brenez Moreno, president of the Jalisco College of Engineers and head of the Pan American Games village consultative committee, comprised of municipal officials and representatives from business and industrial chambers and non-government organizations that was set up in January 2008. He says the committee has met just five times since its founding and that no one has been consulted over the decision to scale back the architectural designs.