El Paso City Council postpones discussion on Multi-Purpose Center
UPDATE: (7:00 P.M.) -- El Paso City Council voted to postpone approving an alternative site to build a Multi-purpose Performing Arts and Entertainment Center.
During city council, leaders said they want to hold several community meetings and receive input before moving forward.
Council will meet in four weeks on March 12, for the discussion.
After going through 13 other potential sites, City Architect, Daniela Quesada said the Union Depot location is the best for the city's budget.
She said it would come at no cost because the city owns the property.
Controversy surrounding the center stems from a 2016 decision to build an arena in the Duranguito neighborhood, which some people say is historic.
This led to protests, petitions, and years of legal battles between the City of El Paso and historians.
The conflict was finally settled in January of 2023 when city council voted in favor of moving forward with the multi-purpose facility, but not in Duranguito.
Quesada said the proposed location can bring great opportunities to the city.
“There's plenty of acreage on the site. I know the design will play a key role in really opening up opportunities for what this facility can look like on the site," she said.
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- In today's City Council meeting, city officials will discuss the next steps for El Paso's Multi-Purpose Center. The Capital Improvement Department will present the new proposed site for the facility, along with the findings from the Phase 2 environmental site assessment report.
City officials have chosen the Union Depot area as the new proposed site, covering nearly 13 acres and owned by the city. City Architect, Daniela Quesada says they plan to “reuse” the historic building, “what we have in mind is to incorporate the historic Union Depot building and work it into what the whole facility site development would be like. So we would be looking to taking the whole back of the site for the facility.”
A feasibility study conducted by Gensler, Dallas Consultants, identified the ideal function for the facility is an entertainment venue prioritizing family shows, concerts, sporting events, and open-air activities. The proposed facility will feature 4000 indoor seats, with the capacity to extend to an additional 4000 outdoor seats.
Funds for the Multi-Purpose Center come from the 2012 Quality of Life voter-approved bond, providing approximately $150 million for the project.
Architect Quesada says public engagement is a high priority for the project’s next steps. They will take public comment at the end of the presentation. City Council meetings starts at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall (300 N Campbell Street). Click here to sign up to speak at today’s meeting.
