New restraining order yet again halts Duranguito demolition to build arena

An El Paso County judge on Monday issued a new temporary restraining order (you can read it at the bottom of this article) that once again halts the city of El Paso’s demolition plans in the Duranguito neighborhood.

The TRO imposed by Judge Patrick Garcia comes after a Texas Supreme Court injunction that prohibited demolition was lifted late last week.

This latest order was obtained by lawyers representing historic preservationist Max Grossman, who has waged a lengthy battle against the city over its plans to tear down old, mostly vacant buildings in Duranguito to construct a $180 million arena that leaders say would attract major sporting events and concerts.

Funding for the arena project was approved by voters in 2012, but it has been mired by legal delays.

Garcia’s order on Monday cites the possibility that Mescalero Apache remains or artifacts could be in the footprint of the arena construction area.

The judge has slated a hearing for Oct. 21 to determine whether to impose a longer-term ban on construction work while he considers the merits of the case.