Suggestions differ on how Robinson Avenue should be reconstructed

A west El Paso road with a history of flooding is getting a makeover. But not all of the nearby residents agree on how Robinson Avenue should be reconstructed.

The city of El Paso held a community meeting to get input from neighbors on which improvements they would like to see.

Some want to protect a nearby arroyo while others say safety is the priority.

Resident Eve Fitzpatrick was at the meeting and said she loves her slice of desert in the middle of El Paso. Robinson runs right along an arroyo.

“I want to know what their plans are, we don’t need any more concrete,” Fitzpatrick said.

The latest plan is phase two of the Robinson project. The city of El Paso is now planning to reconstruct the stretch from Piedmont Drive to Ochoa Street.

Residents said flooding has been an issue.

“There is no place for the water to go really because it is sloped toward the back of the property,” said Bonnie Brooks, a nearby resident.

The full street reconstruction could include a new drainage system, landscaping, illumination and ada compliant sidewalks and curbs.

Resident Lewis Peeples is pleased with the work so far on Robinson.

“We have seen many improvements already and they are also doing a lot of infrastructure on the gas system and the water system,” Peeples said.

Robinson Avenue is located in city Rep. Peter Svarzbein’s district. He is hoping to find some common denominators when it comes to residents’ suggestions.

“Really what today is, staff has an open house session. They are looking at what kind of improvements people want to see and listening to constituents,” Svarzbein said.

This project has a budget of $2.7 million.