Family Dollar to Replace Three Buildings in Central El Paso

National discount retailer Family Dollar plans to construct a brand new store in Central El Paso where three structures currently stand. The plan was revealed in a recent Detailed Site Development Plan Review through the City of El Paso.

The site plan for the future Family Dollar in Central El Paso shows it will have zero setbacks along both Fort Boulevard and Piedras Street.

Family Dollar plans to build a 8,470 square foot store after demolishing three structures at the corner of Fort Boulevard and Piedras Street, including one commercial and two residential buildings.

Brand new apartments planned near the Downtown El Paso ballpark?

A recently discovered rendering shows a possible new infill apartment complex planned for a property near Southwest University Park in Downtown El Paso. The simply named Franklin Apartments have made an appearance at a local architecture firm's website.

The Franklin Apartments, pictured in this rendering, could go up on West Franklin Ave. in Downtown El Paso. (www.exigoarch.com)

No specific location details are available, but the rendering shows the apartment structures on a vacant property on West Franklin Avenue about 800 feet west of the Downtown ballpark which is home to the El Paso Chihuahuas Triple-A baseball club.

H&M Opens Thursday at Cielo Vista Mall

H&M will open its second El Paso store on Thursday at Cielo Vista Mall on the East Side. The popular apparel retailer opened an outlet store earlier this year on the West Side at the Outlet Shoppes at El Paso.

A screenshot of H&M's grand opening event at the retailer's Facebook page. (facebook.com/hm)

The new Cielo Vista store is a larger, 29,000 square foot location which occupies two levels next to Macy's on the mall's east end.

Aldea Developer Seeks Incentives Agreement for I-10 Overpass Construction

The developer of the future Aldea SmartCode project in West El Paso is seeking a Chapter 380 incentives agreement for construction of a freeway overpass adjacent to the property.

A new overpass is planned at Interstate 10 for Mesa Park Drive, the main thoroughfare that will take I-10 commuters into and out of the 196 acre Aldea development. Mesa Park will cross I-10 about three quarters of a mile north of Executive Center Boulevard.

The new Mesa Park Drive overpass is denoted here by a green arrow. The new interchange will provided access to the Aldea El Paso project on the West Side. (Schematic: City Council Agenda)

The agreement would provide Geltmore, LLC, the developer, with incentives in the form of rebates on the City's portion of sales and use tax. The incentive could total between $3.7 million and $4.7 million, depending on the cost of construction. The rebates will be calculated on sales by retailers within the Aldea development.

Update: City Approves 'Metro 31' Mixed Use Project for Northeast El Paso

City Council voted unanimously today to approve the new SmartCode, mixed-use project planned for Northeast El Paso at the former Northpark Mall property. This gives Hunt Development Group the green light from the City to move forward with final design and construction for the vacant 31-acre property.

An artistic rendering of the western entrance to the Metro 31 development off of Diana Street, coming to Northeast El Paso in the next few years. (City Council Agenda)

Up next, Hunt will seek a similar incentives agreement from the County of El Paso worth $5 million, which would add to the $13.7 million that City approved.

Read our previous story from November 28, 2014: This is 'Metro 31': City Reveals Northgate SmartCode Project Details

Developer Buys Entire Block in Downtown El Paso

National developer Hunt Companies, headquartered in El Paso, has purchased an entire Downtown block, according to an El Paso Inc. story.

The property in question is bounded by Mesa Street, Missouri Avenue, Oregon Street, and Wyoming Avenue. It is home to a two-story bank building on one side and a surface parking lot on the other half. Hunt also purchased a motor bank across Missouri Avenue.

This is 'Metro 31': City Reveals Northgate SmartCode Project Details

Hunt Development Group Proposal Awaits Council Approval

Update: City Council has approved the project.  Read More >>

Original Story: 
The City of El Paso has unveiled details on the planned 31-acre transit-oriented mixed-use project slated for the former Northpark Mall site in Northeast El Paso at the corner of Dyer Street and Diana Drive. The proposal, submitted by Hunt Development Group, will be considered by Council on December 2, 2014.

This concept image shows a residential area within Metro 31, the SmartCode development planned for Northeast El Paso. (City Council Agenda)

Renderings of the project, which is called Metro 31 in several places within the development agreement, show buildings laid out in an urban fashion with little to no setbacks from streets. Structures are of varying height and scale, with some apartment buildings rising four stories.

City to Lease Two Restaurant Spaces in Public Buildings Downtown, Near UTEP

Two City of El Paso buildings will get new restaurant tenants, according to this week's City Council agenda. The City2 building and the Glory Road Transit Terminal may see eateries in the coming months.

A Schlotzsky's restaurant will lease storefront space at the City's Mulligan Building in Downtown El Paso, one of two retail spaces in the historic structure. (City of El Paso)

City2, the civic name given to the historic Mulligan Building in Downtown El Paso, has two storefronts for lease, and a Schlotzsky's sandwich shop is poised to open up in one of the spaces. The building is located at 218 N. Campbell Street, across the street from City Hall.

Whole Foods Market Site Plan Revealed, Includes Adjacent Shopping Center

Whole Foods Market officially announced its El Paso location two weeks ago, verifying that it will build a new store on North Mesa Street on the West Side. Now, a rezoning application filed with the City shows the potential site plan for the property on which the grocery store will sit.

The site plan for a development which includes a Whole Foods Market shows its proposed location in West El Paso. An adjacent center may include restaurant, retail, and office uses. (Original Site Plan: City Council Agenda)

Plans show a 45,000 square foot store with a 5,000 square foot mezzanine for a total of 50,000 square feet of space for the Whole Foods Market, which will go up at the corner of North Mesa Street and Pitt Street, about 600 feet east of North Resler Drive. It will be situated towards the back of the property with parking located on the north and east sides of the building.

See New Renderings of Savoy Apartment Loft Units Slated for Downtown El Paso

Construction is expected to begin soon on the Savoy Loft Apartments project in Downtown El Paso, and now an architect involved with the development has posted renderings of what the loft units may look like once completed.

Rendering of the living/dining area of a unit at the coming Savoy Loft Apartments in Downtown El Paso. (www.insituarc.com)

The renderings show relatively narrow, modern spaces with historic touches such as exposed brick walls.

Loop 375 Extension Now Called 'Border West Expressway'

State and local officials held a groundbreaking this week for the now renamed Border West Expressway project in West El Paso. The project, formerly known as Border Highway West, will create a tolled expressway and complete the loop around the city.

The Border West Expressway will be a tollway for 5.6 miles from West El Paso near Sunland Park to Downtown. (TXDOT)

The largest part of the 7.4 mile project will be the construction of a four-lane tollway stretching from Racetrack Drive on the West Side to Loop 375's current terminus at Santa Fe Street south of Downtown El Paso. Racetrack Drive is located along Paisano Drive just south of Interstate 10 in the vicinity of Sunland Park Drive.

Site Plan Shows More Redd Road Crossing Details

The site plan for a future retail development in West El Paso is now available, offering a peak into what the shopping center will eventually offer.

Redd Road Crossing in West El Paso may include a grocery store and new restaurants, according to the latest site plan. (www.ropelpaso.com)

Redd Road Crossing is a 15-acre traditional shopping center planned for the corner of Desert South Boulevard and Redd Road which will include 118,700 square feet of leasable space, according to the developer's website.

Airport Hotels Suing City of El Paso and Westin Developer

Two (possibly three) hotel operators near the El Paso International Airport are suing the City of El Paso and EP Vida, LLC, the developer of the high-rise Westin Hotel and attached retail complex that are planned for airport land.

The timeline for the Acequia Park hotel/retail project near the El Paso airport has shifted multiple times. A lawsuit naming the developer, EP Vida, will be discussed in Executive Session at the next City Council meeting. (Ronkot Design Vimeo Channel)

The City is scheduled to discuss two items in executive session on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, relating to EP Vida, which wants to build the Acequia Park hotel and retail complex that would include the Westin brand. The first item is the pending legal case while the second regards the Chapter 380 incentives package approved for the project last year.

Will Whole Foods go up in West El Paso?

Whole Foods Market revealed plans to build twelve new stores in an earnings report today, including the first El Paso location. However, no other details regarding the El Paso location were announced.

After years of public outcry asking for a store to open up in the Sun City, Whole Foods Market states in the earnings report that a lease has already been signed. So where in El Paso will it be built?

Wells Fargo Bldg to Undergo Renovations in Downtown El Paso

The owner of the Wells Fargo Plaza building in Downtown El Paso will begin renovations this week on the lobby area of the tower. Borderplex Community Trust made the announcement in a press release on October 28, 2014.

Renovations to Wells Fargo Plaza in Downtown El Paso include an outdoor seating area that is part of a full-service restaurant. (Courtesy Borderplex Community Trust)

The most visible part of the renovation will be upgrades to the lobby area. Borderplex plans changes to the lobby to make it "more open, airy, and light-filled," which includes contemporary elements and structural changes to improve pedestrian flow.

Brio RTS Launches First Route

After years of planning, engineering, and construction, Sun Metro has finally launched its first Brio Rapid Transit System (RTS) route. The Mesa Corridor route begins officially running on October 27, 2014.

El Paso's mass transit system held a "launch party" on Monday at Cleveland Square. The Mesa Corridor route runs from Downtown El Paso to the Westside Transfer Center, with 22 stops along the round trip.

H&M, Armani Exchange Announce Opening Dates for Outlet Shoppes at El Paso Stores

The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso has announced opening dates for two of its newest additions. H&M and Armani Exchange will both open stores at the Northwest El Paso outlet shopping center later this month.

A flyer announcing the grand opening date for the first H&M store in El Paso. (Courtesy Outlet Shoppes at El Paso)

Armani Exchange will be located in a 2,950 square foot space at the Outlet Shoppes in an existing building. The retailer sells apparel for men and women along with accessories.

West Elm Store Opens this Week at the Fountains at Farah

The largest tenant on the Promenade at the Fountains at Farah is scheduled to open this week. West Elm, a home furnishings and decor retailer, will open Thursday, October 16, 2014, at the East El Paso shopping center. Hours of operation have not yet been posted.

The West Elm sign was recently installed at the Fountains at Farah in El Paso. (instagram.com/westelmelpaso)

West Elm's 22,000 square foot store will have two levels, accessible from both the lifestyle Promenade area and the big-box Boulevard Shops upper section.

Ground Broken for Campbell Apartments Near Downtown

A South El Paso neighborhood near Downtown will see a brand new apartment building rise within about twelve months, just one block south of Paisano Drive. Groundbreaking was held Thursday for the 88-unit Campbell Apartments at 501 South Campbell Street.

The Campbell Apartments will rise five stories in South El Paso, just south of Downtown, as shown in this rendering. Construction could be complete by fall of 2015. (Courtesy Soto Enterprises)

The urban, mixed-use building will rise five stories, with retail and parking on the first level and apartment units on the upper floors. 

There will be 3,654 square feet of storefront retail space available which may be divided in up to four separate tenants. Behind the retail spaces, there will be 48 parking spaces in a covered garage.

UTEP Updates: Campus Work Centers on ‘Transformation’ Projects

Transportation, Housing Developments Also on University’s Checklist

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is gearing up for its Centennial Celebration, and crews continue their progress on projects around campus.

Students and visitors to UTEP have dealt with detours, fenced off areas, and general construction for many months, particularly in the middle of the school’s grounds where Centennial Plaza is taking shape.

A crowd gathers around the Esfera Cuantica Tlahtolli sculpture, recently unveiled at the University of Texas at El Paso (www.youtube.com/user/UTEP)

According to UTEP News, crews recently began digging holes for the trees and shrubbery that will surround the plaza. Centennial Plaza is the centerpiece of UTEP’s Centennial Celebration, a large gathering area bordered by the Union, Geological Sciences, Psychology, and Administration buildings. University construction will ultimately remove streets, parking lots, and concrete areas to reveal a more natural, pedestrian-friendly environment.

Weekly Edition Status Update

El Paso Development News is undergoing a transformation behind the scenes, and that's a good thing! Our growth has allowed us to explore better ways to bring you updates on development news items, including stories ranging from retail to transportation, housing to quality of life, restaurants, construction, etc.

During this time of evolution for our site, we have decided to forego publishing the Weekly Edition for the foreseeable future. Don't worry, we are not going anywhere! We will use email messages like this one to send updates on development news stories as they are written, alerting you to the latest posts at www.elpasodevnews.com.

Thank you for your support and readership, and keep an eye out for upcoming updates and improvements to our site!

Another Union Plaza Building May See Renovation

Structure in Downtown El Paso is One Block from Ballpark

Union Plaza, one of Downtown El Paso’s most unique neighborhoods, could see the renovation of another of its historic buildings according to concept images posted online.

A Downtown El Paso structure in Union Plaza may see renovations soon, according to renderings posted online.  (www.loopnet.com)

The building, located at 500 San Francisco on the western edge of Downtown, is the current home of The Plum lounge and famously housed Club 101 several years back. Its current size is at about 11,700 square feet, but 13,181 square feet would be available to lease due to the expansion and renovation. Spaces will be for retail and restaurant uses.

Weekly Edition, Issue 68

The Weekly Edition, Issue 68 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• Another Union Plaza Building May See Renovation
• UTEP Updates: Campus Work Centers on 'Transformation' Projects, Housing, Transportation, and Art

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Horizon Airport May Become Residential Development

Project Could Replace Airstrip with 457 Single-Family Homes, Two Parks

A 90-acre portion of the Horizon Airport will become a residential development. That’s according to an application filed with the El Paso City Plan Commission.

Sky View Estates will replace the former Horizon Airport just outside the El Paso city limits on the Far East Side.

The developer of the project, listed as DVEP Land, LLC, is proposing 457 single-family homes for the site, which is about a mile east of Joe Battle Boulevard and half a mile south of Pellicano Drive.

Eastside Crossings Now Open

El Paso’s first “mixed income” apartment project has been completed on the East Side of the city. Eastside Crossings, a project of the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso, completed and opened its final apartment building in July.

A playground area at the Eastside Crossings "mixed income" complex in East El Paso. (facebook.com/HACEP) 

The complex includes 64 public housing units, 79 affordable housing units, and 45 market rate units. It is located to the north and east of the Zaragoza/Montwood intersection, along Loop 375.

City Assessing Storm Damage to Construction Projects

Sun Metro Cancels Five Points Terminal Grand Opening Event

The City of El Paso is assessing damage to construction projects around town this morning after last night's severe storms and flooding conditions.

As of this morning, the City has posted updates to a few projects via a press release.

(City of El Paso)

According to the City, the current list is after just the first round of assessments.

First Downtown Wayfinding Kiosks Installed

After years of planning and development, wayfinding signs and kiosks are now being placed around Downtown El Paso.

One of the first wayfinding kiosks in Downtown El Paso was installed last week. It includes overhead lighting powered by solar panels. (downtownelpaso.com)

The first phase of the project includes 18 wayfinding kiosks and 28 directional signs attached to existing street light fixtures, according to downtownelpaso.com.

Work Starts on Digital Wall

Construction has begun at the future site of the TouchCity Digital Wall at the El Paso Museum of History.

The fenced off area at the Museum of History in El Paso marks the beginning of construction for the pavilion that will house the TouchCity Digital Wall. (facebook.com/EPTXEngineering)

The interactive wall will be made up of five 95-inch displays aligned horizontally that will allow users to interact with historic images and documents.

Nothing Bundt Cakes Next ‘Fountains’ Tenant

Two More Tenants Announce Expected Opening Dates at Center

A new tenant could bring specialty pastries to the Fountains at Farah in East El Paso, according to permits filed with the City. Nothing Bundt Cakes will open up a spot in the shopping center.

One of Nothing Bundt Cakes specialties are its “Bundtinis,” shown here. A location is set for the Fountains at Farah. (facebook.com/nothingbundtcakes)

According to the retailer’s website (www.nothingbundtcakes.com), Nothing Bundt Cakes stores offer bundt cakes in an assortment of flavors such as Red Velvet, White Chocolate Raspberry, Carrot, and Lemon, among others.

Aloft Hotel Confirmed for Downtown El Paso

An Aloft Hotel location will open in Downtown El Paso, according to a press release issued today. The hotel, which is part of the Starwood Hotels group, will open in July of 2016.

An Aloft Hotel will open at Bassett Tower in Downtown El Paso in 2016.

The hotel will include 100 "loft-like" rooms, an indoor pool, a W XYZ bar, and 3,000 square feet of meeting space, according to the press release.

ADP to Add 150,000SF Facility in West El Paso

New Building Part of Company’s Plan to Increase Workforce by 1,100

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) will double its presence in El Paso by 2020, including adding another building to create a West Side campus. The company announced last week that it intends to hire an additional 1,100 employees to add to the approximately 1,100 existing employees.

The new 150,000 square foot ADP facility will be located just north of the existing building in West El Paso.

In its announcement, ADP states it will construct a 150,000 square foot facility adjacent to its existing building on Resler Drive, about half a mile south of Loop 375. The new structure will be located immediately north of the current building, creating an “ADP Campus” of sorts. This is the same size as the current building on Resler.

Five Points Terminal Reopens in Central El Paso

The Sun Metro Transit Terminal in the Five Points neighborhood in Central El Paso has reopened after a year-long renovation.

The Five Points Transit Terminal boarding map. The terminal has reopened after a year of renovation work in Central El Paso. (sunmetro.net)

The terminal received exterior and interior updates, including facade upgrades, new restroom fixtures, WiFi, monitors, new benches, electronic arrivals signs, and ticket vending machines.

Weekly Edition, Issue 67

The Weekly Edition, Issue 67 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• ADP to Add 150,000 SF Facility in West El Paso
• Nothing Bundt Cakes Next 'Fountains' Tenant
• NewsBits Updates on Several Projects Around the City

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Onix Apartments Take Shape on West Side

A unique, new condominium apartment building is going up in West El Paso. The Onix Apartments will bring a 58,000 square foot, four story structure to a vacant property off of Onix Drive near Sunland Park Mall.

 The Onix Apartments are going up in West El Paso. (Courtesy LievArch)

Renderings of what the finished project will look like show a single building that surrounds a central courtyard which will include a swimming pool and water feature. Balconies will overlook the courtyard area, located at different levels throughout the building. There will be 38 apartment units at the complex.

The central courtyard at the Onix will contain a swimming pool. (Courtesy LievArch)

According to the project’s architect, Carlos Lievanos of Liev Arch of El Paso (www.lievarch.com), the courtyard is “strategically located based on building orientation, site exposure and views to integrate light and privacy in response to the desert environment.”

Details Emerge on East El Paso’s ‘Montana Commons’

Shopping Center Plan Replaces Former ‘El Cruzero’ Smart Growth Layout

Editor's Note: This story was originally published in our Weekly Edition newsletter. Be sure to subscribe to the newsletter by clicking HERE.

A prime corner in Far East El Paso will be home to a 500,000 square foot shopping center in the coming years, and details are emerging regarding its layout and possible retail tenants. Montana Commons will begin construction in 2016 at Montana Avenue and Joe Battle Boulevard on land that was previously slated for the El Cruzero smart growth development.

The Montana Commons site plan has been modified to show possible retailer locations within the center. (Original site plan: LoopNet)

The shopping center will be laid out in a traditional power center fashion, as indicated by the site plan, with large box stores along the back of the development and smaller shop and restaurant buildings closer to the street. Large parking lots will be located in front of the stores.

Weekly Edition, Issue 66

The Weekly Edition, Issue 66 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• Details Emerge on East El Paso's 'Montana Commons'
• Onix Apartments Take Shape on West Side

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Vacant Franklin Ave Laundromat Transforming Into ‘Cantina’

A vacant building near the Downtown El Paso Triple-A stadium that made news last year is becoming Blackbird Cantina Deluxe, according to a recently created Facebook page. The property at 533 West Franklin Avenue was home to a former laundromat in the historic neighborhood.

Blackbird Cantina transforms a Downtown laundromat. (facebook.com/Blackbirdcantina)

One of the partners in the development of the property, TJ Karam, told local news outlets last year that plans were in the works to construct a 40-unit apartment building at the site. Karam stated that a beer garden was planned for the first level. On Blackbird Cantina’s Facebook page, it is listed as a beer garden.

Pictures at the page show ongoing construction inside and out, with multiple steel containers placed alongside of the existing structure.

The containers have been placed in a seemingly permanent fashion and may be repurposed for use by the bar. No word on the timeline for the project.

Watch Video of TI:ME at Montecillo Transformation

TI:ME at Montecillo is the newest addition to open at the smart growth development in West El Paso, and now a video has debuted showing the transformation of the space into the "non-traditional" shopping center.

 

TI:ME AT MONTECILLO from mark martinez on Vimeo.

Local filmmaker Mark Martinez chronicled construction of the center and has posted the video to his Vimeo page.

‘Mandala Sunrise’ Installation Added to UTEP Campus

Public Art Piece Highlights Relationship Between the University and Bhutan

The drive along Sun Bowl Drive on the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) campus just got a lot more artistic thanks to a new public art installation along the street. “Mandala Sunrise” will greet drivers at the new roundabout at the intersection of Sun Bowl Drive and Glory Road.

The “Mandala Sunrise” public art piece adds color to Sun Bowl Dr. (www.facebook.com/KorynRolstadStudios)

The public art piece, designed by Koryn Rolstad of Seattle (www.krstudios.com), consists of dozens of upright pipes towering over the roundabout decorated with hundreds of colorful resin wings. At night, the piece includes special nighttime lighting.

'Stacked' Coffee Shop Going Up in Downtown El Paso

A rendering of a unique coffee shop making its way to Downtown El Paso. (www.facebook.com/elpasocoffeebox)

Two shipping containers will be stacked one on top of the other on Wednesday in Downtown El Paso to help create a new coffee shop. The Coffee Box will offer a new eatery option in Downtown when it opens later this year.

Continue Reading on DevWire >>

Work Begins on North Hills Crossing

Ground Broken on 30-Acre Northeast El Paso Retail Center

One of Northeast El Paso’s largest retail projects in years is getting underway as crews have now begun groundwork at the North Hills Crossing development. The center will take a prominent retail spot at US-54 and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard when it opens next year.

Rendering of the future North Hills Crossing shopping center, now under construction in Northeast El Paso. (www.ropelpaso.com)

Crews began moving dirt earlier this month, with ZTEX Construction of El Paso as earthwork subcontractor on the project. The company will complete earthwork, utilities, paving, and erosion control.

Weekly Edition, Issue 65

The Weekly Edition, Issue 65 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• Work Begins on North Hills Crossing
• 'Mandala Sunrise' Installation Added to UTEP Campus
• Vacant Franklin Avenue Laundromat Transforming Into 'Cantina'

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Officials Break Ground on New Northwest El Paso Hospital

Rendering of the new Sierra-Providence Hospital building in Northwest El Paso. (Sierra Providence Health Network)

Ground was broken last week on a new multi-million dollar Sierra Providence Health Network (SPHN) hospital in Northwest El Paso that will take shape at the corner of Transmountain Road and Resler Drive. Officials touted their partnership with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in making the facility a teaching hospital.

Continue Reading on DevWire >>

Construction Update: San Jacinto Plaza Renovation Project

Work Begins on Central Shade Structure that will Protect 'Los Lagartos' Sculpture

The famed “Los Lagartos” sculpture that calls San Jacinto Plaza home will be getting a protective shade structure as part of park improvements, and now crews have begun laying the foundation for the public art in Downtown El Paso.

A shade structure will protect the ‘Los Lagartos’ sculpture at the renovated San Jacinto Plaza, supported by cables on pylons. (City of El Paso)

According to a City update, an auger is now on site which will dig holes 50 feet deep that will house the pylons that will support the shade structure using stainless steel cables. The floating shade canopy will allow small bits of sunlight to peek through during the day and add an artistic element with special lighting at night, according to the project manager’s blog (buildingsanjacintoplaza.wordpress.com).

Mixed-Use Project Set For Union Plaza

Development Includes Apartments & Retail with a Sunken Courtyard

Construction will soon begin on the transformation of a vacant Downtown El Paso building into a mixed-use structure with retail and apartment elements. The building, located at 513 West San Antonio Avenue, can be found in the historic Union Plaza district on the western edge of Downtown.

A new mixed-use project for Union Plaza in El Paso is getting underway. This rendering shows the building after completion. (Courtesy Liev Arch)

The long, narrow building will contain retail on the first and basement levels, with apartments on the second and third floors. A sunken courtyard will be created along the back of the building with landscaping and a water feature.

The vacant building in Union Plaza should
be transformed by spring of 2015.
(Courtesy Liev Arch)

According to the architect on the project, Carlos Lievanos of Liev Arch of El Paso, the structure dates to the early 1900’s. The renovation design maintains the historic character of the facade, with plans to restore the brickwork and add only a “Texas canopy” along the retail spaces on the street level. The canopy will help to showcase the retail spaces along San Antonio Avenue, he indicates, helping draw customers to the shops. Lievanos was also the architect on The Mix at Union Plaza project nearby.

Weekly Edition, Issue 64

The Weekly Edition, Issue 64 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• Mixed-Use Project Set for Union Plaza
• Construction Update: San Jacinto Plaza Renovation Project
• Officials Break Ground on New Northwest El Paso Hospital

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Will Downtown Get a New Convention Hotel?

Downtown El Paso could have a new convention hotel in the coming years. The City of El Paso is requesting proposals for a new full service hotel that would have 250 rooms, a swimming pool, and meeting space.

Continue Reading on DevWire >>

City Selects Four Pedestrian/Bicycle Enhancement Projects for Funding Request

The City of El Paso will submit four projects for funding consideration that would expand pedestrian paths and bicycle lanes within the city. Funding is sought through the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Transportation Alternatives Program.

As part of the program, the MPO has made approximately $3.9 million available and is seeking projects that qualify for funding. For each project the City is proposing, the City will match 20% of the project cost.

The City of El Paso is seeking funding for four bicycle and pedestrian enhancement projects around town, like this one along River Bend. (City of El Paso)

The Resler Drive Buffered Bike Lane project stretches from Helen of Troy Drive southward to Belvidere Street, a total of 2.3 miles. It includes a minimum five foot bike lane with a three foot buffer, intersection striping, and green paint for intersection and “conflict areas.”

Infill Project to Bring Apartment Building to Magoffin Neighborhood

Mixed-Use Development to Add Small Retail Space to Three-Story Building

A vacant property near Downtown El Paso may soon see new life as a mixed-use apartment building. That’s according to a rezoning application on the next City Plan Commission agenda.

Artistic rendering of the Magoffin Apartments planned for Central El Paso. (www.exigoarch.com)

Plans are to construct a three-story structure on the property, called the Magoffin Apartments, located at 1217 Magoffin Avenue. The first floor will mainly be used for parking spaces, providing a total of 14 slots for residents. A 556 square foot retail space will be located along Magoffin.

First Look: Sun Metro Streetcar Facility

Maintenance & Storage Building to Sit at Downtown Transfer Center Site

Streetcars that are part of the future El Paso mass transit line will have a home at the Downtown Transfer Center property, according to a recently revealed rendering and floorplan. The maintenance and storage facility will be located in the southeastern corner of the site, which sits on Santa Fe Street between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue.

Rendering of what the streetcar maintenance and storage facility may look like once completed on Santa Fe Street in Downtown El Paso. (CRRMA)

Plans show a proposed 19,122 square foot building that will have some office space but which will mainly be used to store and maintain El Paso’s streetcars. Two pits will be located underneath a pair of tracks in the middle of the structure, allowing maintenance workers to view and access the underside of each trolley.

Artspace to Discuss Progress at Community Meeting

El Paso Community Foundation and Artspace officials will hold a community meeting on Tuesday to update the public on progress for the Downtown project. Artspace will construct a multi-story apartment building with 51 affordable live/work units at 601 North Oregon Street.

The latest rendering of the Artspace project set for Downtown El Paso that should begin construction in early 2015. (Artspace)

The project, which has been in the planning stages since 2010, was awarded federal housing tax credits in July that will allow it to move forward with construction. Groundbreaking is expected in the first quarter of 2015 with completion expected in spring of 2016.

The community meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 12, 2014, at the Rubin Center for Visual Arts on the University of Texas at El Paso campus. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.

Officials are expected to discuss the next steps for the project as well as providing an update on the design of the building. More information on the project is available at www.artspace.org/elpaso.

Weekly Edition, Issue 63

The Weekly Edition, Issue 63 has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE. (Note: The newsletter will open in PDF format.)

In this edition:

• First Look: Sun Metro Streetcar Facility
• Infill Project to Bring Apartment Building to Magoffin Neighborhood
• City Selects Four Pedestrian/Bicycle Enhancement Projects for Funding Request

>>> GO TO THE WEEKLY EDITION <<<

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