City: Duranguito properties would no longer have to be demolished for purchase

The City of El Paso said Tuesday it plans to modify the terms of a pending land acquisition agreement with the property owner of five parcels in the downtown arena footprint.

The change would allow the City to acquire the properties without clauses stating the buildings need to be demolished before acquisition.

“By modifying this land acquisition agreement, we are positioning the City to proceed with the purchase of these parcels,” said Sam Rodriguez, the director of the City’s capital improvements department.

According to the City of El Paso, the properties in question, all vacant, are located at: 215 Paisano, 308 Chihuahua, 312 Chihuahua, 216 Overland and 220 Overland.

“We want to be ready to proceed with the design and construction of the project upon the conclusion of the pending proceedings,” Mayor Dee Margo said.

The downtown arena project was approved by voters in 2012. The City said 102,358 people voted in favor of the bond project, representing 71.67 percent of the votes cast in the election.