Duranguito supporters, city work toward “agreed judgement” in arena battle

The battle isn’t over. Duranguito supporters and the city say they’re working toward an agreed judgment following a judge’s mixed ruling to build a downtown arena.

The judge ruled the expenditure of public funds on a sports arena is not a valid expenditure under the ordinance.

However, the expenditure of public funds on a new building, multipurpose performing arts and entertainment facility in downtown El Paso is allowed by matter of law.

Attorney’s representing Duranguito residents say they’re now looking for creative solutions to come to a consensus, and they have a few ideas in mind.

“So what if the multi-purpose center is smaller and put it in part of Duranguito that’s not residential?” Dr. Yolanda Chavez-Leyva said.

Another idea they have is creating a corridor of historic homes that would provide jobs to people in the area, or adding a Chinese American Cultural Center.

“What if we do create a Chinese American cultural center where the Chinese laundry used to be. Or we created a tenement museum like New York city?” Chavez-Leyva said.

At a news conference Monday Duranguito attorneys also showed a map, showing three locations the city originally considered for the arena. They said city hall, where the ballpark now, is was deemed to have “poor pedestrian access” and so did the rail yard south of Paisano.

However, Duranguito earned an “excellent” in all five categories from pedestrian access to parking, convention center and hotel access.

Attorneys believe the other locations should still be considered. However, the city is standing firm with its decision to build in Duranguito.

“There’s nothing the judge ruled that it could not be in Duranguito so we will intend to build it in that site,” City Attorney Sylvia Firth said.

The city has already acquired all but two properties in Duranguito. All parties are due back in court, with their proposed agreement on August 1st.