Arena Opponents: Duranguito property owner obtains permit for demolition

Opponents are facing another setback for the control of the Duranguito neighborhood after the city has set plans to build a arena in the area.

Supporters of the neighborhood say demolition permits have now been obtained by a property owner.

Organizers of the “Stand for Duranguito” march told ABC-7 they are concerned.

They found out one property owner has gotten permits to demolish five buildings in the Duranguito neighborhood.

Arena opponents organized a news conference and march Saturday evening.

The first speaker of the event was Father Rafael Garcia of Sacred Heart Church.

“Due to the long history and connection with our church we stand for the historic preservation of neighborhoods like this one and against the displacement of the elderly, vulnerable and low income persons. This is not how a good society should approach development,” Garcia said.

Residents and supporters have heard the city say they will continue with their plans to build the arena in the Duranguito neighborhood in recent months.

Earlier this week city attorneys attended a hearing in Austin requesting a declaratory judgement that would give the city authority to begin building the arena and certifying them to sell bonds to finance it.

The judge postponed the hearing for one month but now the residents of the Duranguito are facing yet another obstacle.

“There were five permits given to the main property owner here in Duranguito, Alejo Restrepo. Three of them were declared historic landmarks by a survey that the city did in 1998 (They are) very important to our historical heritage,” arena opponent Dr. David Romo said.

ABC-7 news partner El Paso Inc. reported the permits were issued May 24 for properties on Chihuahua and West Overland streets. The permits do not say when demolition will begin but JMR Demolition is listed as the contractor.

Romo feels that although the property owner is making the decision to demolish, the city is ultimately to blame for providing the permits.

“The city itself asked for a one month extension so that we can decide the legality of the bond, the legality of whether the arena should be here in Duranguito and I think it’s only right, it’s only ethical, it’s only fair, it’s only legal that they wait and don’t rush to demolition,” Romo said.

Romo feels the city is targeting low-income, elderly Hispanics.

“They don’t have any power, any political means to stop this and this is exactly why Duranguito was chosen because they felt people can’t defend themselves and that’s not fair,” Romo told ABC-7.

Organizers say they will be seeking legal counsel to stop any demolition.

It is important to note that city offices are closed Saturday so ABC-7 was not able to confirm that demolition permits had been granted, and we were unable to get a comment from the city.

In the past, the city has said studies conducted in 2001, 2006, and 2015 identified the Union Plaza area, which includes Duranguito, as the preferred site for the arena.

One of the reasons the city wants to build the arena downtown is state incentives. If the arena is built within 1,000 feet of the convention center, it qualifies to keep some of the state sales tax money it collects. “We can claw back state sales tax, probably to the tune of $25 million,” said former District 8 Rep Cortney Niland.

Niland said the $25 million would be added to the $180 million the community approved for the project.

“We would be able to deliver a better (arena) without having to put more burden on the taxpayer,” Niland said.