el paso survey shows limited support for arena construction

Nearly two years of controversy regarding the proposed construction of a $180 million multi-purpose arena in downtown El Paso have taken its toll on public support for the project.

According to a survey of more than 300 people in the city, commissioned by El Paso television station KVIA, only 25 percent of respondents indicated they were in favor of the project being built at its proposed site: the Duranguito neighborhood.

That location has sparked litigation on the part of residents of the area and community activists.

Last year, 21st Civil District Court Judge Amy Clark Meachum ruled that El Paso could not apply Quality of Life bonds for the project if the arena is to be used for sporting events because the original ballot language for the bonds never mentioned that purpose.

The City of El Paso has said it will appeal that ruling.

The largest group of respondents to the KVIA poll, 37 percent, said they opposed the arena being built in Duranguito, with 36 percent saying they were undecided.

The demographic groups most in opposition to the project were people making more than $100,000 annually, and those between the ages of 45 and 54.
The greatest support for the project came with respondents making between $35,000 to $100,000, and those in the 25 to 34 years of age category.

By Garry Boulard