Petition seeking to preserve Duranguito as historic district is certified

The City of El Paso completed its review Monday afternoon of a petition filed by The Paso del Sur group to try and impose historic designation of the Duranguito neighborhood, the site selected for the new Downtown arena.

“El Paso Del Sur is a grassroots organization that focuses on the rights of residents and fights against some of our most vulnerable communities,” said Paso Del Sur member Jose Quintero.

This is the second round of signature turned in efforts to preserve Duranguito. The first time volunteers gathered more than 2,400 signatures, however, City Council decided to take no action on the petition.

Instead, council took the issue to court. In August, n Austin judge ruled the city could build a facility but it was not allowed to host sporting events.

This time around the City Clerk validated 1,974 signatures, exceeding the required number of 1,666 signatures. According to a statement released by The City, the certification does not automatically place the item on the ballot.

“Zoning is not an appropriate topic for an initiative petition,” said city attorney Silvia Firth

City officials say citizens cannot vote on zoning changes.

“They say that’s the law but it’s their interpretation of the law,” said Paso Del Sur member Carmen Rodriguez.

The Paso Del Sur group wants El Pasoans to vote if they would want the Duranguito area to be considered a historic district.

If considered a historic district, it could mean no multipurpose arts and entertainment center.

“It will be protected from demolition, it will be protected from drastic changes to the district,” Rodriguez said.

The matter will be placed on the agenda for the City Council meeting to be held on October 31.

City attorneys have said there is no precedent in Texas law that allows historic overlay to be placed over a neighborhood as a result of citizen petitions.

“If the city takes no action, which may very well happen, we are going to have to take it to a court,” Rodriguez told ABC-7.

If City Council were to call for an election, it would be until May 5, 2018.