ASARCO smokestack demolition: A decade later, land remains unsold, challenges linger

EL PASO, Texas-- Thursday, April 13th, 2023, marks the 10th anniversary since the ASARCO smokestacks were demolished.

Some community members opposed the decision, hoping they could remain part of the iconic El Paso landscape.

The demolition opened up the next phase of development for the contaminated land.

A large plume of dust spread across the region that Saturday morning as thousands El Pasoans watch in awe.

For over a century, the concrete smokestacks had been a community landmark. The smokestacks also symbolized the livelihoods and opportunities for many workers.

The American Smelting and Refining Company was an integral part of the growing city's economy.

But for others, it represented misfortune.

The remaining towers were ultimately demolished following their extensive controversial environmental past. ASARCO was blamed for extensive pollution in El Paso, exposing hundreds of workers throughout the years.

A decade later, that reputation looms as the land remains unsold.

Roberto Puga, the site custodial trustee for ASARCO, told ABC-7 the largest challenge he has faced is selling the land, something he never expected.

"It has been disappointing, to be honest, but we haven't given up. We can’t give up; we have to still try to find a way to make the property productive," he said.

The trust was formed in 2009 to help get the land back to reproductive use for El Paso.

According to Puga, the trust was funded with $52 million dollars and was entitled to the property, equipment and infrastructure. An additional $30 million was later raised that would also go towards remediation.

When he joined the project, he understood the issues and the contamination cleanup at stake. The land would have to undergo a lengthy remediation process to be able to market it to future buyers.

Remediation is the process of eliminating the concentration of chemicals in an environmental area.

According to the trustee, the process lasted 8-9 years, but years after its completion, the land remains unclaimed.

Puga said when he first saw the land, he saw the potential and envisioned the end product.

"And then we were hit with the reality that the site is a former contaminated site," he said.

After years of negotiation, a deal with UTEP and the University of Texas System ultimately fell through.

Puga told ABC-7 the land has more than 100 years of industrial activity resulting in several restrictions and obligations. He said this is the prime reason why there have been no concrete deals with interested buyers.

"They are not getting a 100%, you know, unrestricted piece of property. There's rules and obligations that they have to follow. They are going to have to enter into a long-term relationship with the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality, so you know there's a lot of added activity and obligation that a buyer would have to deal with."

Puga estimates the roughly 450-acre piece of land is worth between $10 to $20 million.

He said some portions of the land have significant restrictions, while others have minimal.

The trustee said portions of the land with the greatest restrictions are largely limited.

Schools, homes and hotels cannot be built on the site where the chimneys once stood. He said the land would be ideal for warehouses or a sports arena.

He said while the challenges are extensive, he said this is a complicated piece of property with constraints that aren't common.

Puga said he remains optimistic the right buyer will come along.

"I hope in ten years that the developers or entities that buy the property have fulfilled their vision and there's new buildings, there's new business, there's some vibrancy at the site again and it is contributing to El Paso life," Puga added.