This is your weekly news roundup, which takes a quick look at some developments in government, politics, education, environment and other topics across El Paso.
UTEP to Officially Open its Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center
The University of Texas at El Paso expects that its new Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center will be a center of innovation that will benefit the borderland and beyond. Its grand opening is at 9:30 a.m. today at the intersection of Rim Road and Hawthorne Street.
Among those expected to join UTEP President Heather Wilson at the event are El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson, UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken, UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife, regional economic development leaders, and local and federal officials.
The four-story building, which cost around $80 million, was designed in the distinctive Bhutanese architectural style. The building will have 37 research and manufacturing labs as well as administrative offices. At nearly 93,000 square feet, it was designed to adapt to different research projects as knowledge advances. The general contractor was Sundt Construction.
It will house UTEP’s Aerospace Center and the W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation.
The UT System Board of Regents approved most of the money for the project – $70 million – during a November 2019 regents’ meeting. In the past, Wilson has said that the funds for the building showed the state’s commitment to research in space, energy, aeronautics and additive manufacturing.
The university stated that as of May 2024, it had more than a dozen active research grants. Through the years, UTEP has partnered with national agencies in the areas of aircraft safety, spacecraft design, rocket propulsion and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The groundbreaking ceremony was Aug. 30, 2022. At that time, Wilson said that what happens at the center would advance technology, attract private sector partners and create new technologies that would become marketable companies.
The topping out ceremony, when workers hoist the final beam of the main structure in place, was Feb. 14, 2024. The building was substantially completed this past January, and crews began to install the equipment – some of which is quite large – and other furnishings at that time.
Give Your 2 Cents on City Budget Priorities, Financial Planning
The city of El Paso is hosting a series of community meetings where the public can learn about its financial planning and offer input on their priorities as it begins work on its fiscal year 2026 budget.
“The budget represents much more than just figures; it serves as a roadmap for the growth and well-being of our community. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us prioritize essential services, infrastructure projects, and community programs,” City Manager Dionne Mack said in a news release.
The meetings are as follows:
- 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15: Westside Regional Command Center, 4801 Osborne Drive
- 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 21: Gary Del Palacio Recreation Center, 3001 Parkwood St.
- 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 30: The Beast Urban Park Recreation Center, 13501 Jason Crandall Drive
- 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1: Marty Robbins Recreation Center, 11620 Vista del Sol Drive
- 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8: Pavo Real Recreation Center, 9301 Alameda Ave.
- 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14: Wayne Thornton Community Center, 3134 Jefferson Ave.
- 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15: Northeast Regional Command Center, 9600 Dyer St.
A hybrid in-person and virtual meeting is set for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 13. The meeting will be held in-person at the City Hall main conference room, 300 N. Campbell St. You can watch virtually by logging in to https://tinyurl.com/np6z69na with the Meeting ID: 290 271 157 452 and Passcode: wL23tw6V. By phone, call 915-213-4096 with ID 577362616#.
The meetings coincide with the launch of the city’s annual Chime In! Survey, which is available in both English and Spanish.
Information: www.ElPasoTexas.gov and click on the Tax and Budget tab.
City Names Director of Community, Human Development
Native El Pasoan Nickole Heater Rodriguez has been appointed as the city of El Paso’s director of Community and Human Development, which oversees housing, human services, neighborhood revitalization and community engagement.
She previously served as program manager in the department, and worked on Downtown revitalization and redevelopment projects in the city’s Economic Development Department. She also served as chief of operations at Goodwill Industries of El Paso
Heater Rodriguez holds a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in public administration.
The Community and Human Development Department administers key federal and local programs in partnership with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and works closely with nonprofit organizations, service providers, and neighborhood associations to build stronger, more connected communities, the city said in a news release.
El Pasoan Appointed to Texas Diabetes Council
Michael Kelly, vice president of programs for the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, has been appointed to the Texas Diabetes Council for a term set to expire in February 2031.
The council addresses issues affecting people with diabetes in Texas and advises the Legislature on policies needed to develop and maintain educational services to people with diabetes and health professionals.
Kelly has a bachelor’s in biology, a master’s in health education and a doctorate in health education. He’s a member of Council on Foundations, Philanthropy Southwest, American Diabetes Association and the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine Dean’s Advisory Council at Texas Tech University Health Science Center, among others.
Kelly is one of four people appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott this week. K. Renee’ Yarbrough-Yale of North Richland Hills, Dirrell Jones of Farmers Branch and Jason Ryan of Houston were reappointed to the council.
Their appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
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