el paso makes boldest move yet for recreational project

In order to push things along, members of the El Paso City Council have voted in favor of a land swap that is ultimately designed to get an indoor water park resort company to move to the city.

In a unanimous vote, the council approved purchasing land in northeast El Paso owned by real estate developer and investor Paul Foster in the hope that the Chicago-based Great Wolf Lodge will eventually build there.

Although the company, whose resorts also feature restaurants, fitness rooms, and spas, earlier said it had not made a decision regarding the building of a possible location in El Paso, the council said the land deal made good economic sense.

In purchasing the 44 acres of property owned by Foster and valued at $18.6 million, El Paso will be getting 2,300 acres that could be used by Great Wolf Lodge.

Should Great Wolf Lodge ultimately decide against moving to El Paso, that land, prime real estate not far from I-10, could be used as a lure for another public/private project.

By Garry Boulard

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