EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The City of El Paso will be hosting two meetings to inform the public about the site selection process and the recommended alternative site for the voter-approved Multipurpose Performing Arts and Entertainment Center (MPC) project.
Virtual meeting
From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Meeting link: http://tinyurl.com/2p9rp4vn
Hybrid session
From 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Mar. 6.
In-person: Center for Civic Engagement, 304 Texas Ave., 17 Floor.
Virtual: http://tinyurl.com/3xrnh2zw
The proposed location – city-owned property within the Union Depot area – was identified based on its location and site characteristics, which align with MPC feasibility study findings identifying criteria to make the project viable and profitable, according to the city.
The recommended city-owned site would allow for:
The adaptive re-use of a historic building.
Brownfield remediation and the promoting of infill.
Speed-to-market, as land acquisition is not necessary.
The revitalization of Downtown and Union Plaza without displacing residents.
The incorporation of this area into the Convention Center campus to provide additional meeting spaces.
The development of a hybrid facility, with 4,000 indoor and an additional 4,000 outdoor seats for a total of 8,000 seats.
The city to honor the will of the voters by delivering a project within the voter-approved budget.
The city says the location for the bond project was modified on January 3, 2023, when the City Council directed staff to reallocate the remaining bond funding allocated to the MPC toward renovating or upgrading an existing city facility.
In March 2023, the council directed staff to work with consultants, Gensler and Associates, to conduct an additional site assessment for the MPC, according to the city.
The city says that as part of this analysis, they considered a total of 13 sites, including all municipally owned properties downtown, and other locations within the recently expanded Downtown Plan area. The site review was narrowed to a deeper assessment of the four most viable properties.
If the City Council approves an alternative site for the bond project, the city will continue to host public meetings to keep the community informed on the MPC project development, according to the city.
Additionally, the public engagement will include information about the site’s selection and public engagement opportunities related to the design of the facility.
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