EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of El Paso is taking another step towards a long-envisioned plan to build a five-block deck plaza over Interstate 10 in Downtown.
The City Council voted 8-0 to apply for $4 million in federal funding during a meeting on Tuesday, May 13.
The money would come from the Community Project Funding program, supported by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar’s office. If approved, it would help pay for early infrastructure work on the estimated $207 million project.
If built, the Downtown deck plaza project aims to reconnect neighborhoods split by the I-10 corridor. The project will include pedestrian paths, gathering areas and access to Downtown businesses.
“If we get this project moving forward, then we’re going to be able to bring in more people here,” City Rep. Josh Acevedo said said. “They’re going to be paying in our local economy sales tax. We get sales tax. That’s the smart way of really looking at the long term.”
To further fund the project, the City is providing $750,000 in matching funds, while the Paso del Norte Community Foundation will provide an additional $250,000, bringing the total local match to $1 million.
City officials say timing is critical as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is scheduled to begin its I-10 expansion project in 2027. Officials add the construction of the deck plaza would have to align with that timeline, or the opportunity could be lost.
Critics of the project have raised concerns about the overall cost of the project and whether the money could be better spent on street repairs across the City.
The city’s application now heads to Escobar’s office for review.
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