City: Seven downtown demolition permits filed before restraining order
ABC-7’s I-Team obtained seven demolition permits, which could indicate the first buildings to fall within the downtown arena blueprint.
The footprint for the new voter approved entertainment venue is the two-block area just south of the Convention Center. It is bordered by San Antonio, Santa Fe, Leon and Paisano streets. Plans tentatively call for an arena with 12,700 seats.
ABC-7 obtained the demolition permits for the following properties:
216 Overland Ave. 220 Overland Ave. 215 Paisano Dr. 305 Chihuahua St. 309 Chihuahua St. 312 Chihuahua St. 110 Overland Ave
The property on the 100 block of Overland lies outside the blueprint, but adjacent to the proposed arena property.
he recently outline property proves worrisome for some residents of El Paso. Dr. Max Grossman sent a statement to ABC saying in part: “Evidently the city of El Paso plans to expand the so-called master planning area of their arena project beyond the confines that have been revealed thus far.” Grossman added, “Every El Pasoan should be alarmed.”
The City of El Paso confirms with ABC-7 the demolition permits were filed before the temporary restraining order filed June 12. City spokesman Ramon Herrera said the has no plans to divert from the original blueprint.
The properties filed for the demolition permit are owned by Alejo Restrepo and Roberto Assael. The owners have contracted JMR Demolition LTD.
Both the owners have yet to return ABC-7’s calls. However, the contractor listed on the demolition permit, JMR Demolition LTD responded. “I don’t know what their plans are,” Jesse Robles Jr. said. “I am just on hold with whatever they tell me.”
The temporary restraining order will remain in place until July 3, 2017.
