City approves $250K for Plaza’s ‘Celebration of Lights’

The City Council unanimously approved spending a quarter of a million dollars to decorate San Jacinto Plaza for the holidays.

Seven of the eight council members – District 1’s representative was not present – voted to approve the $258,434 plan to light the plaza.

The lighting, tree and accessories will cost the city more than $140,000. Installation, maintenance and removal will cost more than $116,000.

Although the vote passed, several City Council members were not fond of the proposed plans.

The Quality of Life Department showed images of proposed designs, including Victorian lighting (white lights). City Reps. Lily Limon and Cortney Niland opposed the Victorian lights and requested the department look into decorating the plaza to reflect El Paso’s “festive environment.”

The interim director of the Quality of Life Program, Dionne Mack, told ABC-7 her team left the meeting ready to work on new ideas to please the council and the city.