EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso is moving ahead with plans to sell and redevelop City-owned property that was originally earmarked for a multi-purpose performing arts and entertainment facility or Downtown arena, as it was often called.
This comes after more than a decade of opposition to building the arena in the Duranguito neighborhood and after voters passed a ballot measure on Nov. 5 canceling the City’s authority to issue the remaining $128 million in general obligation bonds for the performing arts center.
City staff has placed an item for City Council to consider during the Tuesday, Feb. 25 meeting to move forward with plans to sell and redevelop 17 City-owned properties in this area, which is also called the Union Plaza District.
City staff is asking for formal City Council action to authorize issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) for redevelopment of the area. City staff is also asking the City Council to “ensure adaptive reuse” requirements for the area and to mandate historic registration for eligible buildings upon sale of the properties.
If approved, the request for qualifications is expected to be released in mid-March].
The City says it envisions a dynamic, reimagined Union Plaza that:
- Preserves historic building facades and architectural character.
- Enhances the public realm with green spaces and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
- Creates new housing opportunities, including affordable units.
- Activates ground-floor spaces with retail, entertainment, and cultural venues.
- Attracts diverse industries, including education, arts, research, and technology.
If approved, the RFQ will mark the second phase of the City’s strategy for the sale and redevelopment of these properties, the City said.
The first phase, a request for interest (RFI), sought input from industry experts and community stakeholders.
The City received five letters of interest from three entities, which were reviewed in Executive Session. However, since the council declined to move forward with direct sale negotiations, staff will be requesting council approve proceeding with an RFQ process to identify qualified developers committed to adaptive reuse.
Key elements of the RFQ process will include, the City says:
- Selection Criteria: Developers will be evaluated based on experience, financial capacity, technical competence, and their ability to execute a well-defined adaptive reuse plan.
- Sale Conditions: Properties must be rehabilitated according to established design standards and comply with the City’s Union Plaza Infill Policy.
- Historic Preservation: For independently eligible buildings, developers must collaborate with the City to secure a National Historic registration.
- Fair Market Value: Properties will be sold at fair market value, with proceeds used to pay down outstanding bonds associated with the original arena project.
With the upcoming City Council action, the City “aims to formalize its approach to redeveloping these properties, ensuring that the RFQ process aligns with the community’s vision for Downtown revitalization,” the City said.
Upon council approval, the RFQ will be released in March 2025, inviting experienced developers to submit their statements of qualifications (SOQs) per the outlined guidelines.
The anticipated RFQ timeline is as follows:
- Feb. 25: City Council to consider RFQ
- March 2025: Release of RFQ, Q&A period, and site visit
- Within 60 days of release: Response submission deadline
- 60 days after submission deadline: Initial evaluation of submissions
- Fall 2025: Presentations and final selection process
Read: Read More