el paso plans for big stadium site revealed

Although El Paso city officials have yet to say what exactly is to become of the Cohen Stadium on the northwest side of the city, a new master plan for the site the stadium sits on envisions a variety of entertainment and recreational uses.

Months in the making, the master plan specifically mentions the construction of athletic and recreational facilities on the 50-acre site at 9700 Gateway Boulevard North, as well as several hotels, restaurants, and both retail and green space.

Plans for the 10,000-seat Cohen Stadium itself, which was built in 1989 and, according to city officials, has been underused ever since the El Paso Diablos baseball team stopped playing there some 5 years ago, remain uncertain.

It has been suggested that ultimately the stadium will be demolished by the city, but that has not yet been officially announced.

The Cohen Stadium site master plan comes after months of public input.

As currently proposed, what is being called the Cohen Redevelopment could see the construction of up to 228,000 square feet of hotel space; 394,000 square feet of retail space; 97,000 square feet of office space; and just under 900 multi-family residential units.

The project would be funded using a combination of public and private dollars.
A specific date launching the beginning of the Cohen Redevelopment remains to be announced.

By Garry Boulard