El Paso ‘All Airborne’ 82nd Chapter cited for ‘dusty’ parking lot nuisance; must pay $55k to pave it
EL PASO, Texas -- The Benavidez-Patterson "All Airborne" Chapter of the of the 82nd Airborne Division Association has been issued a citation by the City of El Paso that could prove quite costly for the group.
The local chapter, located at 2608 Fort Boulevard, has their members park in a dirt lot next to its building.
The city citation contends that dust is kicked up from vehicles parking in the dirt lot and is a nuisance.
In order to fix the problem, the lot must be paved by the group.
However, the paving price of $55,000 is huge cost for a non-profit organization with a small budget.
The chapter has started a GoFundMe page in the hopes that its members won't have to hang up their jump boots.
The chapter, which has about 300 Borderland members according to its website, is part of a national group made up of those who served in Airborne units from World War II to the most recent conflicts in the Middle East.
Paul Albright, the Chief Military Officer for the City of El Paso, told ABC-7 late Tuesday that the Airborne Chapter has two other potential options available for them.
He explained the first option would be to fence the lot completely, leaving no access whatsoever or utilize gravel screening.
Albright said if the gravel screening option were chosen, then only employees of the chapter could park there making the lot almost useless.
Meantime, he said the city is also trying to encourage their veteran employees to donate to the GoFundMe account created to pave the lot.
"Our City Manager is 100% behind this. Tommy Gonzalez is going to support the GoFundMe page. I have personally given money. I have sent an email out to every veteran (that works for the city) in El Paso," Albright said.
