By Gina Roe-Davis
As someone who has spent 21 years producing events in El Paso, I’ve had a front-row seat to what brings our city to life.
I’ve watched thousands of people gather Downtown for concerts, festivals, sporting events, cultural celebrations, and community activations. I’ve seen families dancing together, local businesses thriving during events, and people from every corner of the city coming together to share experiences that feel uniquely El Paso.
What I’ve learned through those experiences is this: El Pasoans are craving connection. They want places that bring people together in ways that feel authentic to our culture, our community, and our identity.
That’s a big part of why I support the Downtown Deck Plaza project.
As an event producer, I naturally look at spaces through the lens of community — how they can be activated, how they can create experiences, and how they can strengthen the fabric of a city. The Deck Plaza represents an opportunity to create a dynamic public space intentionally designed for gathering, celebration, recreation, and connection.
Over the last several years, we’ve seen clear proof that El Paso wants more of these experiences.
Events like Way Out West Festival, Winter Fest, numerous downtown concerts, Chihuahuas and Locos games, and countless community activations continue to draw people from across the region. These aren’t just events for tourists or visitors. The people showing up are our neighbors, our families, and our local community.
Whether someone lives on the East Side, the West Side, the Northeast, Mission Valley, or Central El Paso, Downtown becomes the place where everyone comes together. That’s what makes these shared spaces so important. They create opportunities for people to experience the city together.
Having produced several large-scale festivals in Downtown El Paso, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact these events can have on a community. They are intentionally designed to celebrate the culture, history, music, food, and spirit of the Borderplex in a way that feels genuine and inclusive. While people may initially attend for the entertainment and unique experiences, what truly brings them back is the sense of connection — the opportunity to come together in a shared space that authentically reflects the identity and pride of our city. That kind of connection matters.
And while economic development and tourism are certainly important, I believe the real value of projects like the Deck Plaza goes beyond economics. It’s about creating a place that belongs to everyone. A place where culture can be celebrated. A place where future generations can gather for festivals, markets, concerts, fitness events, holiday celebrations, and community experiences we haven’t even imagined yet.
As a resident of El Paso, I also see the value in transforming what is currently a concrete overpass into something vibrant, welcoming, and purposeful. Cities across the country have successfully reimagined underutilized infrastructure into public spaces that improve quality of life, support surrounding businesses, and create stronger community identity. El Paso deserves that same kind of vision and investment in its future.
Like many people in our community, I had questions about the Deck Plaza project in the beginning. I wanted to understand how it would be funded, how it would be maintained, and who would ultimately be responsible for its long-term sustainability.
Those questions were addressed directly and transparently through conversations with the project’s leadership. My understanding is that the project would be funded through a combination of local, state and federal support, along with private and corporate fundraising efforts led by the Deck Plaza Foundation. I also understand that long-term responsibility for sustainability and operations would rest with the nonprofit organization supporting the project, not local taxpayers.
For me, supporting the Deck Plaza ultimately comes down to believing in thoughtful, forward-looking development that strengthens our community and creates spaces where people can gather and connect.
The demand is already here. The community has shown us that.
Now we have an opportunity to build something that reflects it.
Gina Roe-Davis is the founder and owner of RAVE Marketing & Events, a minority-owned marketing and event management company based in El Paso, with more than two decades of experience producing high-profile events, promotions, and brand activations nationwide. A lifelong El Pasoan and Texas Tech University graduate, she serves on several community boards and is recognized for her expertise in event strategy, marketing, and community engagement.
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