Restrooms at San Jacinto Plaza? City plans a vote to approve the building purchase
The city plans to add a visitors center and restrooms to the San Jacinto Plaza area in Downtown El Paso.
The proposed location is just South of San Jacinto Plaza on 112 Mills Street, in a vacant building.
The San Jacinto Plaza draws people to the area for different events such as the Celebration of Lights, Winter Fest and Chalk the block, but some people who were at the Plaza told ABC 7 that finding a restroom is an issue. Christian Skertchly said, “I don’t know, I think I’d have to rush over to the Plaza which is an inconvenience, definitely.”
This is the same type of concern that residents of El Paso have brought to the attention of the City, the need for public restrooms downtown.
ABC 7 talked to City Engineer Sam Rodriguez, about the City’s plan to handle the issue. He said, “This was a big discussion that the city council and the public had after we completed San Jacinto Plaza and the fact that there were no restrooms readily available to service them, so city council heard the community.”
The City initially planned to lease a building downtown on Mills street but decided that it would be more cost effective to purchase the building instead. They negotiated a deal with the property owner for $595,000, now the city needs to approve the purchase.
Some residents have concerns about the proposed restrooms saying, “The homeless will be going there or going in there, and its vice versa, it would be a good idea but it would be a bad idea.”
When ABC 7 asked the City about the concern, Sam Rodriguez said they have already put together a plan for the concern. Rodriguez said, “They will be open for the park hours that are posted. The park itself is monitored by Park Security so this will be part of their rounds. In addition, we will be adding cameras to the outside and to the lobby area of the facility.”
Rodriguez told ABC 7 that it will cost an additional $700,000- $800,000 to renovate the building. If approved, they hope the project is complete by this coming summer.
The city will vote on purchasing the building at its Tuesday meeting.
The building will have eight stalls on each side, with one family bathroom and baby changing stations in both the men’s and women’s bathrooms.
