Cohen Stadium In Danger Of Failing Inspection Code

EL PASO, TX – Some $175,000 of renovations and improvements need to be done at Cohen Stadium in orderfor it topass its next building code inspection, city engineers said Wednesday.

Appearing before City Council, City Engineer Alan Shubert said it was imperative for the panel to approve funding so the stadium could remain in compliance.

Most of the problems are with the electrical and plumbing systems throughout the facility, Shubert said. There are wiring problems such as exposed cables andleaking sewage lines, he said.

The venue is the home of the El Paso Diablos, aminor league baseball team whose first incarnation left El Paso in 2004. Shubert said he realized the repairs were needed because the team’s owners asked his office to inspect the stadium.

Despite the severity of the repairs, the stadium is still open for business and Shubert said no one’s health or safety is at risk.

“If we thought the structure was in danger then of course we wouldn’t let that happen,” Shubert said.

“It’s not an eminent situation that would require us shutting the facility down. There are just things we have to address to make sure those kinds of safety issues don’t occur,” he said.

Shubert said most of the major repair work will be done by March or April of next year, in time for baseball season.

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Written and reported for broadcast by Stephanie Valle

Written for the web by Joe Villasana