PIP lawmaker alerts of possible loss of historic Miraflores Polvorin

Puerto Rican Independence Party Rep. Denis Márquez Lebrón

By THE STAR STAFF

Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) Rep. Denis Márquez Lebrón has raised concerns about the potential loss of the historic structures that make up the Miraflores Polvorin, which is located near the Convention Center in the Miramar sector of San Juan.

Márquez Lebrón said a request for proposals process is currently in progress for the development of the land parcels located behind the Convention Center, including parcel L8, which houses the Miraflores Polvorin.

“The Miraflores Polvorin is a historic structure that served as part of Puerto Rico’s defensive system in the 18th century. It is the only surviving one of the four original ammunition storage sites and stands as a symbol of resistance,” Márquez Lebrón said. “Unfortunately, the government has abandoned it, leaving it in ruins, as has happened to many other elements of our cultural heritage.”

In a communication to the executive director of the Convention Center, Verónica Ferraiouli Hornedo, Márquez Lebrón demanded the reconstruction of the Miraflores Polvorin. He urged the Puerto Rican National Council to take necessary measures to safeguard the integrity of the historic structures, including restoration efforts for the benefit of the people of Puerto Rico and the preservation of the island’s historical heritage. He also called for the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture to intervene in the process, emphasizing principles of cultural protection and preservation.

“The potential destruction of the Miraflores Polvorin would obliterate our cultural identity,” Márquez Lebrón said. “In Puerto Rico, many historic structures have already been lost to construction and economic interests that overlook their cultural value and significance. It is crucial to protect one of the few centuries-old structures that still exist, as it is part of our national heritage.”

The abandonment and deterioration of the Miraflores Polvorin is an issue that Márquez Lebrón has been actively addressing. In 2018, during his first term, he denounced the neglect of the site and introduced legislation to declare it a historical monument. He has reintroduced similar legislation this term through House Bill 748.