Special council meeting focuses on strategic planning for future
The City of El Paso is looking for to bring 20 major developments within the next three years.
“You have these plans in place and you have a vision and and execution attached to these strategies,” District 8 Rep. Cortney Niland said. “It is much easier when you have turnover.”
City leaders met Thursday morning to during a special council meeting to review the results of their 2015 Strategic Plan and to discuss the framework to further the progress to the plan.
“I am hoping to walk away from this with a clear strategic plan for the next few years,” District 5 Rep. Michiel Noe said.
Within the 20 plans, several incorporated transportation, cultural, educational and recreational programming, public health and safety, and economic development.
Plans include the following:
Complete renovations of Camino Real Hotel Construction of a multipurpose cultural and performing arts center The development of rapid transit system corridors The development of the I-10 and Zaragoza Entertainment Zone, and an indoor water resort Expand investments in public safety options: the addition of 300 new police officers Expand free Wi-Fi service at 27 quality of life facilities by 2020 Implement cyber security plan Complete comprehensive livable wages review Complete 2 Brio routes and steer at system by 2018 and fourth Brio route operational by 2020 Street reconstruction and the implementation of a bike plan Continue no-kill shelter effort leading to 99% live release rate by 2020
The followup strategic planning session was designed to build on the progress made through the “Power in the Vision,” which focuses measures on the City’s vision statement: El Paso will have safe and beautiful neighborhoods, a vibrant regional economy and exceptional recreational, cultural and educational opportunities.
“We want to be more competitive,” city manager Tommy Gonzalez said. “We want to be able to bring in destination anchor facilities that will draw people from the Tuscons and the Albuquerques to here.”
Since it’s implementation, the plan has been responsible for the creation of several projects and initiatives including: $633 million in capital investment, $87 million in economic development agreements, completed 44 projects within the quality of life bond program, launched new adult education programs, implemented police department staffing plan, decreased serious crimes by 4.93 percent.
With city representative seats open for the next election, these plans could be subject to change. “”Whether I am here or not here, it is my responsibility to ensure that the best plan possible goes to the next generation that we have,” District 7 Rep. Lily Limon said.
