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Will sports be allowed in any way, shape or form inside the City of El Paso’s multi-purpose performing arts center?
The City of El Paso hopes a judge in Travis County will give it the green light to bring its vision of the project to reality.
Two weeks ago, the judge issued a mixed ruling. Since then, motions have been filed by both sides.
Court documents show the City is keen on having sports be a part of the voter-approved multi-purpose facility.
It argues the facility would be primarily used for performing arts, but could also host entertainment like sporting events.
The City also wants to judge to issue a final judgment with a “permanent injunction against the filing by any person or entity of any proceeding contesting the validity of the bonds, the authorization of the bonds and the expenditure of money relating to the bonds.”
Opponents argue otherwise, accusing the city of misrepresenting the building’s ultimate use from the very start.
Attorney’s with the Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid say the court’s order should declare sports would not be a lawful use of the bond-funded facility since the word “sports” was never mentioned in the bond proposal approved by voters.
They proposed several ways to keep sports from creeping back into the picture later.
One is to ensure the design does not include locker rooms or other sports specific features. The other is preventing the city from issuing certificates of obligation to pay for enhancements or completion of the facility later on.
