City exploring safety measures for Mesa street

The City is exploring how to make the area surrounding the University of Texas at El Paso safer following a string of pedestrian deaths.

“There’s a lack of walkability and pedestrian features in an area that should really be a showcasing of pride for Kern Place, for UTEP and really for all of El Paso,” City Representative Peter Svarzbein said Thursday during an interview.

Using funds from the City’s approved Streets Capital Improvement Plan, city officials are planning to add pedestrian enhancements, additional lighting and landscaping. Svarzbein calls it an urgent public safety issue, citing the most recent pedestrian death on Mesa near UTEP in January. “It’s clear that there’s a safety issue in this area. I refuse to accept the status quo.”

Svarzbein said city officials are in the preliminary phase of planning and accepting suggestions and concerns from constituents. He is having a public meeting to address the issue Monday evening at 6 P.M. at Mesita Elementary.

A budget for the project has not been established.