Residents eager for San Jacinto Plaza to reopen after work substantially complete

The heavy machinery has left San Jacinto Plaza in downtown El Paso. City staff have said that primary construction is now substantially complete.

Looking down on the square, pavement and grass appear to all be in place. Some signs of continuing work can also be seen, like ladders and plastic wrap still around the caf windows, and utility boxes lying open.

The city reports that a punch list, basically a check list of remaining tasks, has to be worked through before the square can formally open to the public.

That’s not exactly what some were hoping for when a construction completion date was given by the city for this past Friday. With the temporary fence surrounding the plaza still in place, downtown visitors can only look on to what San Jacinto has in store once complete.

Project manager Gilbert Guerrero told ABC-7 the next step is going through that check list of finishing touches and having inspectors scrutinize the work at the plaza. Contractor Basic IDIQ will have 30 days to complete any problems and finish the project.

While questions about what being in the park will actually be like remain for residents, city staff have also said that April is being looked at for an official opening of the park.

ABC-7 also contacted District 8 City Rep. Cortney Niland, but she did not offer any comment for this story.