Demolition Of Northpark Mall In Northeast El Paso Begins

The city of El Paso has begun the demolition process at the old Northpark Mall in the Northeast, a project that, including purchasing of the property, will cost about $10 million.

Some of that is being paid with grant money, but the majority comes from certificates of obligation.

“There’s been promises made that we’re going to do something and people are tired of false promises, and as Larry the Cable Guy says, ‘Let’s get ‘er done,” and we’re getting her done,” said Carl Robinson, the city representative for that area.

Built in the early 1960s, Northpark Mall used to be a premiere spot in El Paso.

“I had my first date there. I used to go shopping with my mom on Saturdays. I used to spend weekends at the library with my sister. It was a part of the Northeast. It was our core place,” said Theresa Pearson, who grew up in Northeast El Paso.

It was a core place, with stores such as the Popular and the Boomerang Theater so many grew to love.

“I went to the movies and was dropped off in 1989,” Pearson said laughing, recalling her first date.

The place for first kisses later became a dilapidated haven for crime.

The mayor had said a rape was reported there. During an exclusive tour earlier this year, ABC-7 found dead pigeons and a dead cat in the old theater.

“It’s been an eyesore. We’ve had some violence issues that occurred here because of lack of activity,” Robinson said.

So the city stepped in and bought the place for demolition. The question is whether it was worth the $10 million.

“Yes, definitely. It was a part of the city. It was a part of the Northeast. It was a part of that community, and everybody has memories,” Pearson said.

The city has already drafted plans for the site that include housing, commercial space and a new bus station that’s already there.

The next step: finding a developer to buy the land and make those plans a reality.

Video:Exclusive video tour of Northpark Mall.

Slideshow:A closer look inside the mall.