Rep. Lozano Unveils Vision For Ascarate Park
EL PASO, TX – City Representative Alejandro Lozano Thursday unveiled a model of what he envisions for the county-owned Ascarate Park.
Lozano tells ABC-7 he has contacted IMAX theaters and Waterpark Industries about setting up shop in Ascarate Park. The proposed projects will emphasize the amenities at the park, he said. They will include a water park, restaurants and hotels.
The city representative said he has been trying to set up the project at the park for the last 20 years. County Commissioners have been reluctant to privatize, he said.
The project would be entirely funded by private sector investment – not taxpayer money, said Lozano. “Next week, if the Commissioners Court were to say: ‘go ahead and start,’ we can start the following day…no tax dollars would be used for the funding of this project,” said Lozano.
He will present his latest plan to commissioners at their Monday meeting next week.
County Commissioner Veronica Escobar tells ABC-7 she has serious concerns about the plan. Escobar wants to settle the lawsuit regarding the former Western Playland property before moving ahead with any plans to revitalize the park.
Commissioners also want to finalize proposals to have the Border Children’s Mental Health Collaborative set up shop in some of the land near the park.