European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 26, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Daily Magazine View from one of the Balcony bars along Tijuana s main Boulevard theaven Lda revolution booming Tijuana is expected to surge ahead of neighbouring san Diego soon to become second largest City on West coast of North America. Tijuana transformed Border City the envy of Mexico by Larr Rohter new York times Hough it May once have owed its existence to America s fondness Lor Bootleg liquor and illicit sex Tijuana is now a booming and confident Metropolis that is increasingly the envy of Mexico. As it celebrates the Centennial of its founding. Tijuana has become an important Industrial and commercial Center of a million people Vith the lowest unemployment rate in Mexico and one of the highest Levels of per capita income by the end of the Century. Tijuana which is already bigger than san Francisco Seattle. Portland san Jose or Vancouver is expected to surge ahead of neighbouring san Diego to become the second largest City on the West coast of North America. Tijuana is truly coming into its own As a dynamic cosmopolitan and prosperous place said David Pinera founder of the Institute of historical research the relative Prosperity of Tijuana is All the More striking at a time of deep economic distress in most of Mexico and the crisis atmosphere that surrounded the recent talks on reducing the country s staggering foreign debt Many factors have contributed to Tijuana s transformation but one of he most important has been the growth of to maquiladora Industry or in Bond processing More than 500 such plants which assemble components brought into Mexico duty free and then Export them at a reduced Tariff rate Back to the United slates have sprung up Over the last 20 years turning Tijuana into the work capital of television  As the president of me co s maquiladora Industry Council puts it and employing More than 70.000 people Tijuana has also reaped enormous benefits from a sweeping overhaul at the beginning of the decade that was intended to change the appearance of the entire City. The Tijuana River was channelled and a slum area around it known As Cartolana or cardboard Box City was razor and most of its inhabitants moved to newly built Public housing. In its place Rose what has become known As the River District with its shopping centers restaurants office buildings galleries cultural Center and condominiums that area has Row become the new heart of the City and a Magnet for the millions of american tourists who Stream across the Border in Over growing numbers last year More than 53 million Crossings of the Border Between Tijuana and san Diego Wero recorded Many of them made by families intent on spending the Day shopping at the Gucci Fiorucci and Eliesse boutiques or eating at one of the City s More than 1,200 restaurants that Border crossing figure already the highest in the world is expected to Rise to 63 million this year and to top 100 million within five years. Increasingly Tijuana also sees itself As Meco s Gateway to the Rich California Market and to the Pacific rim. Japanese korean and taiwanese companies Are Westing heavily in plants and real estate there and the mexican government has ambitious plans to increase Trade with Easl Asia using Tijuana and the port of a Nannada As a base news of the opportunities available hero has spread rapidly across the rest of Mexico where a deep recession in its seventh year has rained unemployment and reduced living standards Tijuana has become the great Northern Hope for the Young and ambitious and More than two thirds of the City s population was born elsewhere. While More than 20 percent of the work Force in some mexican cities is unemployed in Tijuana the unemployment Rale is less than 1 percent. To attract workers Many companies typically offer starting wages More than double the minimum wage of $3.85 a Day and Many newcomers who arrive in Tijuana intending to Cross illegally into the United states end up eventually settling Here. Tijuana is a melting pot in which converge the Best elements this country has to offer said Rafael Valderrabano Zayas director of the Tijuana Enterprise Center a local business group those Are enterprising people attracted by the possibility of taking risks and forging a better future " for those who have attained a degree of economic Security Tijuana offers Oiler attractions Young professionals and established executives from Mexico City Monterrey and Guadalajara Are increasingly willing to relocate there drawn by Chic new neighbourhoods like Playas de Tijuana on the shores of the Pacific. Tijuana is in fashion and not just for businessmen said Pinera. A native of the slate of Nayarit who arrived Here 30 years ago. For artists and intellectuals this is a very Good place to be a stimulating environment that is also an excellent social  to thai mix must be added an Clement of political innovation and Independence. By voting on july ?. For Carlos Montejo Favela 57, a banker who is scheduled to take office dec. 1, Tijuana has become the largest mexican City Ever to throw the institutional revolutionary party out of Power and to elect an opposition party candidate As mayor. There is a tremendous shortage of housing in Tijuana due to the fact that our population has been growing at a rate of More than 8 percent a year Montejo born in the stale of Sonora. Said our growth has also outstripped our sewage water and Roadway systems so we Are going to have to do something about  this is the society of the future of Mexico with All the problems of adolescence but also with a Brilliant career ahead of it said Jorge Bustamante a Chihuahua native who is director of the College of the Northern Border a major research institution Here. Tijuana is today what the rest of Mexico will be in 20 years " the old Tijuana famous Lor corruption and immorality of course has not yet entirely disappeared. Avenida revolution. Near the main Border crossing Point with the United states is still dotted with noisy Honky tonks cabarets Tattoo Parlours and strip joints catering As in decades past to Young american men looking for female company. Such offerings Are now merely an appendage to the City s real livelihood. Saturday August 26, 1989 the stars and stripes Page 13