‘Green’ Library Set To Take Up Portion Of East-Central Park

By ABC-7 Reporter Ashlie Hardway

EL PASO –A “green” library buildingset to go up on the green of an East-Central parkhas left a local neighbor less than enthusiastic.

It was a windy day that led to perfect conditions for a jog around Vista del Valle Park. At one end of the park though – a chain-link fence with signs promising change is coming.

Resident Adriana Reyeslives a stones-throw away from the park and isn’t excited about the library’s location. “As it is, we have a shortage of parks in El Paso and the parks that we do have they shouldn’t be taking space away from,” she said.

According to city officials, the location wasn’t just chosen on a whim. It was picked about two years ago after a study and a series of public meetings. Reyes said she didn’t attend the meetings because she didn’t know about them.

“I think getting rid of an area where people can enjoy nature to put up a building where people have to be inside is very ironic,” said Reyes.

The “environmentally-friendly” library will be built from “green” materials and will recycle water. City officials said it will only take up about two to three of the park’s 22 acres.

City officialsCarol Bray said the library will alsoserve as a safety buffer near the heavy traffic at Hawkins and Viscount.”In the past, there have been children playing ball and that kind of thing close to Hawkins which is presenting somewhat of a dangerous situation,” she said, “with the library being there that will no longer be possible.”

Bray said when it’s all said and done, the park will still look great. “There will be a very seamless transition from the library to the park.”