Commissioners Lift Moratorium On Sale Of Far East Land

EL PASO, TX – County Commissioners proposed a plan that will appease proponents of a new mental health center for children and those in favor renovating the county sportspark – two conflicting plans preventing each otherfrom takingshape.

At Monday’s meeting, commissioners took the first step towards making both plans a reality by lifting the moratorium on the sale of 80 acres of county-owned land in far east El Paso near Loop 375.

Recently, commissioners placed a one year moratorium on the sale of the land until the county and the Border Children’s Mental Health Collaborative came up with a plan for a mental facility to be situatedon the land.

The collaborative, along with the parents of mentally disabled children, have pleaded county officials to build a mental health facility. Currently, children with mental disabilities have to seek treatment elsewhere in the state. In some occasions, they are separated from their families.

“This community hascome together…the Commissioners Court has come together and we have the support of the county judge…a year ago, children’s mental health was noteven on the table,” stated Roger Martinez, with the collaborative.

Commissioner Luis Sarinana and proponents of a $10-million dollar renovation for the county sportspark were in favor of selling the land to pay for the renovations. A company named “Big League Dreams” is the leading candidate for the remodeling job.

“There is no reason why our kids can’t have these baseball fields. As a mom with a child who plays baseball, I’m never gonna give up,” said Sharon Calderon, in regards to crucial renovations needed at the park.

In previous meetings, commissioners stated the land was worth too much money and not selling it was a mistake. “It’s a win for all of us,” statedanother supporter of the plan to renovate the sportspark.

Aside from the lifting of the moratorium, a new site was revealed to be in consideration as a possible home to a new mental health center.

County Judge Anthony Cobos told the court he has learned of county-owned land near the juvenile probation department near the intersection of Delta and Alameda. The land is near Ascarate Park and Cobos believes children being treated at the center would have easy access to the park.

“A swimming pool, a golf course, arunning track and a park: it’s everyting that we want the collaborative to have! I know we have to use it jointly with the regular citizenry, but why not,” stated County Commissioner Dan Haggerty.

Haggertytold the courthe will spend the next few weeks with the Border Children’s Mental Health Collaborative to come up with a master plan for the treatment facility.