despite challenges, el paso remains committed to arena project

In a move to dampen speculation that a new multi-purpose arena may not be built, the City of El Paso has reissued solicitations for the project.
 
Originally approved by the El Paso City Council in the fall of 2016, the proposed stadium has been the subject of endless controversy and litigation, primarily from community activists and residents of the Duranguito neighborhood where the stadium is slated to be built.
 
Last fall. Texas Civil District Court Judge Amy Meachum issued a ruling allowing El Paso to build the stadium as a performing arts facility, but prohibited $180 million in Quality of Life bonds to be used to build the arena for sports because the original bond language did not mention that purpose.
 
In response, the City of El Paso decided to appeal Meachum’s ruling to a three-judge panel in the Third Court of Appeals in Austin.
 
Because of the delay in getting the project off the ground, the original solicitations to build the structure are set to expire.
 
Now El Paso has announced a renewed determination to build what is officially called the Multi-Purpose Performing Arts & Entertainment Center.
 
The renewed solicitations are for a program/operator and architecture/engineering services.
 
In a statement, El Paso Mayor Dee Margo said, “In an effort to avoid further delays in the project, we are moving forward with reissuing the solicitations to prepare the City to be able to proceed with the design and construction at the conclusion of the litigation.”
 
Hearings before the Third Court of Appeals on the matter have yet to be scheduled.

By Garry Boulard