Judge issues mixed ruling; City can build multi-purpose arena, but not sports arena

The legal battle between the City of El Paso and those defending the Duranguito neighborhood continues after a judge declared a mixed ruling Tuesday afternoon.

“As to the City of El Paso’s requested relief, the City’s requested relief is granted in part and denied in part,” Judge Amy Meachum said.

She ruled the expenditure of public funds on a sports arena is not a valid expenditure under the ordinance.

However, the expenditure of public funds on a new building, multipurpose performing arts and entertainment facility in downtown El Paso is allowed by matter of law.

She granted Max Grossman’s relief, and the Morales’ relief to not allow funds to be spent on a sports arena.

Scott Incerto, attorney for the city, asked the judge, “Does that include sports?”

“I said you cannot build a sports arena, so no,” the judge answered.

Before handing down a ruling, Judge Meachum first scheduled for a follow-up hearing on August 1, 2017 based on her ruling, and also asked for a post trial briefing.

She thanked the parties, adding that it’s obvious all parties involved love their city and have heartfelt and genuine ideas of how El Paso should continue forward.

She said one of the hardest things a judge is that one has opinions and political thoughts, but that is her job as a judge to dispassionately apply the law.

The City said it was pleased with the court’s ruling.

A statement from the City Attorney’s Office read in part, “The court ruled that we can build a new multipurpose performing art and entertainment center in downtown without any restriction to the location, which is what we wanted to do.”

We will be back in court in two weeks to enter a final judgement on that oral ruling,” said Scott Incerto, outside counsel for the City of El Paso.