Massive East Side Entertainment-Retail Center Proposed

By Armando Landin

Far East El Paso could be in line for one of the biggest retail and entertainment centers the city has ever seen, according to plans for a new center at the Americas Interchange.

The proposed Plaza Del Rey development in El Paso spans nearly 300 acres and includes over 1.6 million square feet of retail space. (West Retail)

Plaza Del Rey would have a total of 2.8 million square feet of usable space if built as currently planned, including 1.68 million dedicated to retail alone which includes a proposed outlet mall.

Kate Spade New York, Bath & Body Works Headed to 'Fountains'

A Kate Spade New York store may be headed to the Fountains at Farah in East El Paso. Recently filed construction permits indicate a store will open up at the center. It will be its first location in the Sun City.

Job openings have also been posted at career websites indicating open spots for store managers and "muses," what the company calls its sales associates, all but confirming a store is in the works. No official announcement has been made, and no opening date is available.

See New Renderings of the Eastside Regional Park's Rec Center

By Armando Landin

One of the largest projects planned for the Eastside Regional Park in El Paso will be the recreation center/natatorium that will sit on the park's southern side.

The recreation center at the Eastside Regional Park in El Paso will include a competition-ready pool, a gymnasium, and various activity rooms. (In*Situ Architecture)

As planning for the park ramps up, we're getting a better look at the recreation center through renderings posted by the center's architect.

Approved Plan Includes Over 1,000 Miles of Bike Lanes

By Armando Landin   

City Council has approved the final Comprehensive Bike Plan for El Paso that could add nearly 1,000 miles of bike lanes throughout the Sun City.

This "heat map" shows the demand for bike lanes throughout El Paso, from the recently adopted Comprehensive Bike Plan. (City of El Paso)

The plan includes recommendations for which streets around El Paso should have bike lanes added, and the types of bike lanes they should get. It contains an extensive atlas for each area of town.

P.F. Chang's Opens August 29th at 'Fountains'

By Armando Landin
 
Another restaurant option is opening soon at the Fountains at Farah in East El Paso. P.F. Chang's China Bistro will open in late August at the shopping center.

P.F. Chang's will open August 29, 2016, at the Fountains at Farah in East El Paso, the third restaurant opening in August at the center. (Fountains at Farah)

According to the restaurant chain's website, the grand opening is scheduled for August 29, 2016, on the Promenade level of the Fountains.

See Before and After Street Views of Major El Paso Projects

By Armando Landin

Apartment rental site RENTCafé has compiled a series of eleven before and after Street View images of major projects in El Paso.

This screenshot shows an image slider at the RENTCafé website that allows El Pasoans to see the Street View from the same spot and how it's changed from 2007 to 2015. Here, the Venue at Montecillo apartment buildings line Mesa Street in the newer image. (RENTCafé)

The sliders on the images at the site allow El Pasoans to view the changing streetscape by dragging the arrow bars left and right. The right side of each image depicts the Street View in 2007 while the left side shows the same spot in 2015.

New 23-Acre East Side Park Previewed in Video

By Armando Landin   

The design of a 23-acre park slated for East El Paso has been teased in a video post by the City's Capital Improvement Program.

Argal Park in East El Paso will include two large grass areas, for soccer and multi-purpose use. (City of El Paso/Sites Southwest)

Argal Park at Las Palmas will be constructed at the corner of Pendale Road and Rojas Drive as part of the 2012 Quality of Life projects approved by voters.

Bricktown Tap House, Candle Boutique Now Open at 'Fountains'

By Armando Landin   

Two new additions to the Fountains at Farah lineup in East El Paso have now opened. Bricktown Tap House and The Candle Boutique both opened August 1, 2016, at the shopping center.

Bricktown Tap House & Kitchen is now open at the Fountains at Farah in East El Paso. (Fountains at Farah)

Bricktown Tap House & Kitchen has opened in the Promenade section of the Fountains, the Main Street-like lifestyle area of the center, adjacent to Chuy's Mexican Food.

Ruth's Chris Steak House Opens August 15th at 'Fountains'

El Paso's first Ruth's Chris Steak House location will open August 15, 2016, at the Fountains at Farah shopping center.

Ruth's Chris Steak House will open August 15 at the Fountains at Farah in East El Paso. (Fountains at Farah)

Ruth's Chris made the announcement on its website and will be open for dinner every day of the week, including major holidays.

Johnny Rockets Headed to Cielo Vista Mall

By Armando Landin   

Another Johnny Rockets location will be opening soon in El Paso, this one at Cielo Vista Mall on the East Side.

According to a Cielo Vista Mall retailer update, the new restaurant will open in a 2,147 square foot upper level spot near Sears.

Cielo Vista Mall Officials Tight-Lipped on Expansion Delay

By Armando Landin   

Officials with Cielo Vista Mall aren't offering any details as to why a previously announced expansion has been delayed.

Rendering of the proposed expansion to Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso. (Simon Property Group)

A representative with Simon Property Group indicates they "continue to work on plans for the expansion of Cielo Vista Mall," but have no additional updates. Simon owns and operates the mall, located in East El Paso at Interstate 10 and Hawkins Boulevard.

New Cinemark Theater to Anchor 'Eastlake Marketplace' near Horizon City

The Far East El Paso area is getting yet another Cinemark movie theater as part of a large shopping center development at the corner of Eastlake Boulevard and Gateway West. It will be the theater chain's fourth location in the East El Paso area.

A Cinemark movie theater will anchor Eastlake Marketplace at the corner of Eastlake Boulevard and I-10. (Site Plan: River Oaks Properties)

The Cinemark theater will anchor a new shopping center named Eastlake Marketplace in an area just outside of El Paso's city limits, west of Horizon City.

Airport Project to Enhance Outdoor Landscape, Lighting

By Armando Landin   

The City of El Paso is looking to create a "sense of place" in areas surrounding and leading up to the airport, and a new project will soon add landscape and lighting enhancements as well as public art.

Landscape enhancements, landscape and architectural lighting, and an "artistic lighting element" are part of the $2.7 million project.

The City will consider awarding the consulting contract portion of the project to Meridian Green Works.

Details Emerge on Four More Spray Parks, Coming to East and West El Paso

The four remaining City Districts in El Paso will also get spray parks in the coming year, and the city has revealed details on the locations and expected amenities.

Salvador Rivas Park in Far East El Paso will be getting a "Water Garden/Lakefront" themed spray park with features similar to those seen in this rendering. (City of El Paso)

In all, there will be eight spray parks spread throughout El Paso, all open to the public and free of admission. The City is moving forward with requesting bids for the design/build contracts on the final four, which are considered Phase Two of the spray park project.

Major I-10 Ramp Improvements at 'Fountains' Shown in Video

By Armando Landin   

An upcoming Texas Department of Transportation project will reconfigure existing Interstate 10 ramps and add a braided ramp near the Fountains at Farah in East El Paso, and a new video shows what the improvements will look like once completed.

A braided ramp is part of planned improvements to Interstate 10 near the Fountains at Farah in East El Paso. (Texas Department of Transportation)

The freeway will also get auxiliary lanes between Viscount and Airway Boulevards, lanes that are created at an on ramp and must exit at the next off ramp.

Olympic-Size Pool, Aquatics Center First Up at Massive Eastside Regional Park

By Armando Landin

Far East El Paso residents will see an aquatics center first as Phase One proceeds for the upcoming Eastside Regional Park. The massive 92-acre park is located off of Hueco Club Road, south of Montana Avenue and east of Rich Beem Boulevard.

This rendering shows how the entrance to the Eastside Regional Park in El Paso may look like once completed. (City of El Paso)

The aquatics area will include a natatorium with a 50-meter "competition-ready" pool and an adjacent a warm up/cool down pool as well as an outdoor recreational pool, splash pad, and lazy river.

Topgolf Shows Interest in El Paso, But Where?

With Topgolf's announcement last week that it is looking to expand into the El Paso area, it leads us to wonder... where should it go?

A typical Topgolf facility includes a three-level structure with "bays" on each floor. The national chain is looking to expand into the El Paso market. (Topgolf)

Topgolf, a driving range entertainment venue, announced last week that it wants to expand to small and mid-sized cities, including El Paso. Topgolf locations vary in size but typically require around 15 acres of space.

P.F. Chang's, Mooyah Among Several New Tenants Heading to Fountains at Farah

By Armando Landin

The Fountains at Farah shopping center in East El Paso is seeing new retail and restaurant activity thanks to new tenants that have opened or will be coming soon, located along Gateway West between Viscount and Hawkins Boulevards.

A "Coming Soon" sign announces a future P.F. Chang's location at the Fountains at Farah in East El Paso. (El Paso Development News)

On the horizon for the 600,000 square foot hybrid lifestyle/power center are multiple new eateries and a dessert shop. P.F. Chang's, Mooyah, and Ruth's Chris Steak House lead the list of upcoming dining options.

Dave & Buster's Details Emerge, Now Hiring 200 Employees for Bassett Place Location

The interior of the upcoming Dave & Buster's location at Bassett Place in El Paso will be "upscale and modern," according to a press release. The company is looking to fill 200 positions for the new entertainment and dining venue located in East-Central El Paso, which opens April 11, 2016.

A "360-degree bar" can be seen in the background of this photo. These new employees are taking part in a "group training" at an existing, unnamed Dave & Buster's location. The new El Paso location is seeking to hire 200 employees. (Dave & Buster's)

Dave & Buster's El Paso location will include over 30 big screen, high definition televisions and a 360-degree sports bar. This is the "Watch" part of the company's "Eat, Drink, Play & Watch" slogan.

Update: Dave & Buster's at Bassett Place to Have Grand Opening April 11th

By Armando Landin


The Dave & Buster's location slated for Bassett Place in East Central El Paso will have a grand opening on April 11, 2016. That's according the Dave & Buster's website. The site had previously indicated an opening date of April 4.

The location will span 36,000 square feet and is under construction in the former food court area of the mall. The website indicates the new location will be open daily from 11:00 a.m. to midnight.