South Central residents voice concern over closures

On Wednesday ABC-7 learned some businesses in South El Paso — including the famous Bowie Bakery will close the day of Pope Francis’ mass.

Some residents are troubled because their movements will be limited.

The city plans to close off a the area from Coles Street to Campbell Street south of Paisano Drive during the pope’s visit as a security measure. The area is across the border from where the papal mass will be held.

On Wednesday afternoon, the city held its third and final meeting with residents ahead of the papal visit.

South Central El Paso residents shopped at their neighborhood corner store,
others worked on their homes, while kids played outside and while it may seem peaceful, that is expected to change in less than week when tens of thousands are expected to flock to the area to be as close to the pope as possible.

Some see the city’s closure as a necessary security precaution.

Others are frustrated.
“It shouldn’t affect us,” said Rosa Arrana.

“On one hand it’s good because there will be order but on the other there will be a lot of confusion for those going and coming from work,” Arrana said.

Beginning at 3 a.m. on Feb. 17, the closure will cover about 50 blocks from Campbell to Coles Street south of Paisano Drive.

After 2 p.m. no one will be allowed to leave or re-enter the area until the pope safely departs the mass across the border. The only exception is for a medical emergency.

Coles Street there is populated mostly with storage warehouses. A shipping manager tells ABC-7 they’ve had to cancel all shipments on Feb. 17 and they’ve already started working longer hours to make up for the time lost.

The famous Bowie Bakery will also close for the day.

“Of course the business is going to lose money,” Louis Aguirre said.

Aguirre is an employee of the bakery who tells ABC-7 more than half of the customers come from other neighborhoods.

“A lot of people come from the Westside, Canutillo even from Anthony,” Aguirre said.

Residents at Wednesday’s meeting were mostly concerned because there will only be a single entrance and exit on Coles Street.

“I think it’s bad, Lesley Medaz said.

Medaz, who’s lives in the neighborhood, tells ABC-7 those who work are worried about traffic congestion in and around the entrance.

Medaz’s sister Magalde thinks otherwise: “It’s good because of the security”

She feels the heavy police presence will keep her children safe.