Members of legislative delegation weigh in on Duranguito

Some members of El Paso’s legislative delegation are weighing in on the Duranguito debate.

Sen. Jose Rodríguez and state Reps. Mary Gonzalez, Cesar Blanco and Lina Ortega, all Democrats, have sent the city a list of requests.

They want the city maintain a 24-hour police presence in Duranguito to protect the buildings, residents and their supporters, many who are watching the buildings.

The legislators also want the city of El Paso to take steps to shore up the buildings that have been damaged to prevent further damage.

The group is also asking the city to reconsider the demolition requirement to close on the purchase of the properties (the city requires property owners to demolish buildings before the city buys those properties).

The delegation also wants the city provide a thorough account of the communications between the city and the police department to explain who gave what orders when protests broke out in Duranguito.

A city spokeswoman told ABC-7 police are evaluating the situation daily and will continue to ensure public safety. She would not comment on the buildings or the other requests citing the legal battle.

Court documents obtained by the ABC-7 I-team indicate some of the property owners who own buildings slated for demolition in Duranguito are threatening to sue the city for $5 million. They said the city illegally revoked the demolition permits it had already granted.

The city, which has city has contracts to buy the eight properties after demolition, was ordered to revoked the demolition permits by a court order.