EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Downtown Management District wants the City of El Paso to continue pursuing the construction of a large, modern arena downtown like the one approved by El Paso voters in 2012.
That's the message Downtown Management District Executive Director Joe Gudenrath delivered during a Monday, March 11, press conference.
“The facility we have is not a modern facility,” Gudenrath said. “They certainly serve a role in this community, but no major upgrades are planned and they are aging over the years. Now is the perfect time to consider a large-scale facility.”
On Tuesday, the El Paso City Council was scheduled to discuss the controversial multipurpose center or downtown arena issue, but that discussion has now been postponed.
The city is considering a scaled-down project to be built in the Union Depot area of downtown.
The current proposal is a hybrid facility with a maximum capacity of about 8,000 seats, with indoor and outdoor seating, nearly half the seating originally envisioned for the downtown arena.
Gudenrath said his organization wants the City Council to reject it and move toward building a large downtown arena, which has been the community's purpose and vision for 20 years.
After more than 12 years of controversy, the proposed arena site in Duranguito was rejected by the city council last year, and the city is now taking steps to sell the land.
“Unfortunately, what is being proposed does not realize the vision of the MPC, which has been planned for decades, does not meet the economic development aspects of it, and unfortunately does not fulfill the vision of the MPC, which has been planned for decades That's the future ahead,” Gudenrath said.
Gudenrath said many events and performers will be absent from El Paso because the city lacks modern entertainment facilities.
The contemporary arena serves as a 'regional' destination for visitors to El Paso to attend events, stay overnight, dine and enjoy what this community has to offer. I will,” he said.
Gudenrath said the city's latest study shows the 12,000-seat facility hosts 114 events a year, serves 400,000 spectators, creates 600 full-time jobs and generates “significant tax revenue.” It has been shown that it can contribute to
“That's what it was designed to do to boost the economy,” he said.
Gudenrath called for a public-private partnership in which the city, county, UTEP and private companies work together to create a modern arena.
“It's not going to be easy,” Gudenrath said. “It's not just a convulsion. A major company is coming to the table with the vision that this community had nearly 20 years ago to build the modern, large-scale arena and multipurpose center that this community needs.” is needed.”
