Southside Revitalization Process Met With Positive Reviews

EL PASO, TX – The Housing Authority of El Paso officially broke ground Friday on the Alamito revitalization project in the Southside.

Unlike the Downtown Revitalization Plan, which has been met with negative feedback, the Alamito revitalization project has been met with positive reviews by the residents living in the “Segundo Barrio.”

The city is using money from a $20-million dollar federal grant to pay for the project. The entire project will carry a price tag of about $70-million dollars, said officials with the Housing Authority, hoping the new Alamito will be a good example of a livable, mix-used community in the heart of the city.

Many residents who have lived in the neighborhood say it is more than just a place to live. “I felt sad because it was lonely at my new home,” said Lilly Nevarez, “I missed the friendliness and the communication I had with my neighbors.” She moved away from the neighborhood more than 20 years ago after spending most of her life there.

Arturo Huerta, the Interim President at the Housing Authority, tells ABC-7 the new Alamito will not only foster a community for residents but for everybody living in the area. “It will be more neighborly for everyone.”

Huerta also mentioned many residents of the neighborhood had to be displaced and relocated to other neighborhoods. “They will have the first chance to get back in,” he said.

The first phase of the project will concentrate on a mid-rise tower primarily designed for low-income, elderly residents, said Huerta. Later phases will include more apartments, cottages and even homes that will be for sale.

“I’m all for it. I love it. I want to comeback…this is my Segundo Barrio,” said Navarro.

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Written and reported for broadcast by Martin Bartlett

Written for the web by Joe Villasana