EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — City officials spoke to residents for the first time on Wednesday, Aug. 28 about the ballot measure regarding the Multipurpose Performing Arts and Entertainment Facility, also known as the Downtown arena or MPC.
This is the first in a series of community meetings aimed at educating voters and providing an opportunity for residents to ask questions and express their views.
A project that has been up for discussion for over a decade may finally reach its conclusion in this upcoming general election. Some voters are still undecided, while others are against it.
Hanz Sassenfeld, an El Paso resident voiced concerns about the financial implications.
“I really hope that they will not see the Downtown arena or any of the projects. I’m against any of the new bond spending. I hope all the voters vote against it,” said Sassenfeld.
As previously reported in July, the El Paso City Council approved an ordinance calling for a ballot measure in the Nov. 5 election.
The ballot measure will ask voters whether to cancel the City’s remaining authority to issue $128,455,636 in general obligation bonds allocated for the MPC, which is planned for Downtown El Paso.
During the meeting, city officials provided a brief recap of events since 2012 that have led the council to reconsider whether the City should move forward with the MPC.
Some residents believe that the City already has enough facilities and that there is no need for another multipurpose center.
“I do believe that we have enough facilities. In my personal opinion, we have enough facilities already that are good and used fully, and I’m not real sure that there is a need for a multipurpose center,” said El Paso resident Norma Ayoub.
Part of the purpose of these community meetings is to discuss the language that will appear on the ballot.
The in-person meetings will continue through Sept. 12.
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