With an investment of 3.3 million pesos in state and municipal funds, the city of Rosarito has restored the artificial reef museum and an adjacent art exhibition hall in Puerto Nuevo, marking a significant step in revitalizing public spaces and local culture.

After years of abandonment and vandalism, Mayor Rocío Adame Muñoz led a reopening ceremony on the morning of April 28. The project was part of a broader initiative to reclaim public spaces, promoted by Mayor Adame and supported by councilman Alan Bautista Plascencia.

The restoration, carried out by PRODEUR, includes an artificial reef museum, an art exhibition space, and facilities for public safety offices. Approximately 2.5 million pesos were contributed by the State Secretariat of Economic Development and Innovation, while the remaining 800,000 pesos came from the municipal government.

The reef museum features items and photographs documenting the marine life that has developed around the Uribe 121, a naval vessel intentionally sunk off the coast of Puerto Nuevo in 2015 to create an artificial reef. The project, spearheaded by Francisco Ussel Heredia, president of the Baja California Artificial Reef Foundation, aims to promote tourism and diversify the local economy.

The newly reopened art gallery showcases works by local artists, whose paintings are available for purchase. The space offers artists a dedicated venue for both creative expression and economic opportunity.