Artspace El Paso Lofts Now Accepting Applications

By Armando Landin

Artspace officials are now accepting applications, effective September 1, 2016, from those interested in securing a spot in the Artspace El Paso Lofts.

A rendering of the upcoming Artspace El Paso Lofts, scheduled to open in November in Downtown El Paso. (Artspace)

Applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis and can be submitted at the El Paso Community Foundation during regular business hours, located at 333 North Oregon Street in Downtown El Paso.

Artspace Lofts Applications Available August 15th

Several Application Workshops Also Scheduled

By Armando Landin

Residents interested in applying for a live/work unit at the upcoming Artspace Lofts can pick up an application beginning next week through the El Paso Community Foundation.

The Artspace El Paso Lofts, currently under construction Downtown, will release applications to potential residents beginning August 15, 2016. (Artspace)

Artspace officials will hold an "Application Release Celebration" on August 15, 2016, at Cafe Mayapan from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., located at 2000 Texas Avenue, east of Downtown El Paso.

Downtown El Paso Alive with Investment

A Comprehensive List of Downtown Projects   

By Armando Landin   

A couple of years back, it was the hope of City officials that a new baseball stadium and other Quality of Life projects would breathe new life into Downtown revitalization efforts and spur private investment in El Paso's largely-ignored center.

Downtown El Paso is seeing a clear surge of investment with private and public projects spread throughout the area. 

The Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas are now in their third season, and two short years after Southwest University Park opened its gates on the site of the former City Hall, signs of burgeoning investment are becoming clear.

Artspace Holding Info, Meet & Greet Sessions

By Armando Landin

Residents interested in moving into the Artspace Lofts in Downtown El Paso will have two opportunities next week to get information on how to apply.

The Artspace El Paso Lofts, shown in this rendering, will open this fall, and officials are holding community meetings to provide information on the building and living at the lofts. (Artspace)

Officials will hold an Info Session on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at Cafe Mayapan from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Artspace Staff will be on hand providing information on living in the building, the application process, and the project timeline.

Artspace El Paso Lofts to Open November 2016

Construction is ongoing at the Artspace Lofts site in Downtown El Paso, and residents will be able to move in as soon as November.

This rendering shows what the Artspace El Paso Lofts will look like once completed, scheduled to open in November in Downtown El Paso. (Artspace/HHL Architects)

According to the official website, Artspace will begin taking resident applications on September 1, 2016 from those interested in living in one of the lofts. Officials hope to have the apartments ready for occupancy by mid- to late-November.

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.

Fading Funding

Project Dollars in Question

Some El Paso development and transportation projects may be in danger due to reversed or unrealized state funding. Four high profile projects have recently been delayed or endangered due to state tax dollars that have been reallocated or simply haven’t materialized.

Bike Share Program

Earlier this month, local officials were dealt a blow when the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) decided not to provide state funding for a city bike sharing program. The City of El Paso and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) had already approved funds to go toward the program which would create a fleet of bicycles that residents of central and downtown El Paso could rent and use.

Artspace Not Chosen for Housing Funds

State Awards Tax Credits to Three Other Area Projects

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) has decided not to award any tax credits to the Artspace Lofts artist housing project planned for downtown El Paso. The agency opted to give tax credits to three other qualifying projects in the area.

Artist's rendering of what the Artspace Lofts project may look like if built in downtown El Paso. (www.artspace.org)

Artspace had applied for $1.077 million a year for ten years in housing credits but was ranked lowest out of six El Paso projects that applied under the “Urban” category. Officials with the project may apply again in the future, or may look for financing assistance elsewhere.

If built, the project will bring 51 affordable live/work units in a five-story building to the corner of Missouri Avenue and Oregon Street, next to the downtown Doubletree Hotel. It will also include 7,500 square feet of multi-purpose non-profit space.

Weekly Edition, Issue 19

The Weekly Edition, Issue 18, has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE.

In this edition:

• Artspace Not Chosen for Housing Funds: State Awards Tax Credits to Three Other Area Projects
• Loop 375 Northeast May Open by End of 2013
• City Upgrades Ballpark Construction Cam
• Filling the Pebble Hills Gap: City Makes Moves to Connect Blvd. to Zaragoza Road
• City Continues Pocket Park Trend: West Side Property to be Transformed

>>> GO TO THE WEEKLY EDITION <<<

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Latest Artspace Rendering Offers Refined Look, Nighttime View

A new conceptual image of the future Artspace artist lofts is giving us a look at what the building may look like at night. The image was recently posted by architect William Helm on Facebook.

Latest Artspace Concept Image

The new rendering also shows some slight differences from concept images that debuted in late 2012. Different sections of the facade are now distinguished by depth and color, with some sections in gray and others in subdued yellow. Concrete blocks that previously made up the southern staircase tower have been replaced by what looks like smooth concrete, and the Artspace sign is no longer seen. Awnings along the ground floor have been broken up into different sections and heights. And the arrangement of windows has also slightly changed.

Previous Rendering.

When completed, the building will feature up to 70 live/work units for artists, as well as ground level gallery space and will be located along Oregon Street between Missouri and Wyoming Avenues, adjacent to the Doubletree Hotel. According to the In*Situ website, the architect of record is ASA Architects in collaboration with William Helm. The project is headed by the El Paso Community Foundation.

Previously:
Artspace Concept Pics Show Modern Design
Council Approves Artspace Project at Old Saddleblanket
City Eyeing Old Saddleblanket For Artspace Project

In*Situ Architecture website: http://insituarc.com/
In*Situ Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/InSituArchitecture
Artspace El Paso website: http://www.artspaceelpaso.org/

Artspace Concept Pics Show Modern Design

The future Artspace building planned for Downtown El Paso could have modern look and use yellow as the main accent color. That's according to several concept pictures posted to the In*Situ Architecture Facebook page, the architecture firm chosen to help design the five-story structure.

The images show the proposed building from several angles. It will take up a half-block of downtown space at 601 North Oregon Street, the former location of the El Paso Saddleblanket retail outlet. The old store had long stood abandoned alongside the new Doubletree Hotel and was demolished earlier this year.

In March 2012, the City approved a contract to develop the Artspace project, with the help of the El Paso Community Foundation who will oversee the project. According to the Artspace El Paso website, the building will "be ringed by 15+ roll-up, kiosk-style micro-galleries for artists and creative businesses, forming an outdoor 'art walk.' The interior will blend 50 - 70 live/work units for artists and their families with 7,500 square feet of multi-purpose non-profit space."

No concrete timeline has been given for the project.

Related:
Council Approves Artspace Project at Old Saddleblanket
City Eyeing Old Saddleblanket For Artspace Project

In*Situ Architecture website: http://insituarc.com/
In*Situ Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/InSituArchitecture
Artspace El Paso website: http://www.artspaceelpaso.org/

Council Approves Artspace Project at Old Saddleblanket

City Council voted on Tuesday to approve the sale of the old Saddleblanket building at 601 N. Oregon to Keystone Properties who will then donate it to the El Paso Community Foundation (EPCF) in order to create the Artspace project the City has been seeking for years. 

According to a story in the El Paso Times, Eric Pearson, president of the EPCF, hopes a five-story 50 to 70 unit building will be constructed on the property by Artspace, an organization dedicated to developing low-rent housing with studio and gallery space for artists.

Artspace has already updated its website to include the new El Paso project, and includes the following in its description: "Artspace will create an entrepreneurial arts center in downtown El Paso that builds upon the community’s Hispanic heritage and seeds a distinctly local arts scene."

"Artspace El Paso will be ringed by 15+ roll-up, kiosk-style micro-galleries for artists and creative businesses, forming an outdoor “art walk.” The interior will blend 50 - 70 live/work units for artists and their families with 7,500 square feet of multi-purpose non-profit space."

Eric Pearson said will meet with residents to discuss the project at 6 p.m. March 20 at the El Paso Community Foundation, 333 N. Oregon.

Artspace El Paso web page: http://www.artspace.org/properties/elpaso/
Original El Paso Times article*: http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_20117423/council-backs-development-plan

*Please note: El Paso Times articles are available online for a limited time before they are archived.

City Eyeing Old Saddleblanket For Artspace Project

City Council will introduce an ordinance on February 28, 2012, to transfer the old El Paso Saddleblanket property at 601 N. Oregon to the El Paso Community Foundation in an effort to locate the planned Artspace project at that location. It is located adjacent to the new Doubletree Hotel. The Council will vote on the item on March 6.

The goal is to create a "high density mixed-use, arts-oriented affordable rental housing development on the Property containing studio/work and gallery spaces," according to the ordinance. The City entered into an agreement with the EPCF and Artspace in 2010 to produce a project of this type. It is seen as a project that will improve cultural heritage and that can be a catalyst for nearby revitalization. A preliminary study has shown a market demand for up to 127 units in downtown El Paso. 

601 N. Oregon - Old Saddleblanket Building

Artspace Projects Inc. is an organization which creates these types of developments throughout the United States. From the Artspace website: "Artspace owns and operates 27 projects in 19 cities and 13 states. Twenty-one of the 27 are live/work projects with a total of 922 residential units. The others are non-residential projects that provide space for artists and cultural organizations. Many of the live/work projects also include non-residential space such as studios, offices for arts organizations, rehearsal and performance venues, and space for arts-friendly businesses."

Artspace Project in Seattle

City Council item: http://www.elpasotexas.gov/muni_clerk/agenda/02-28-12/02281210O.pdf

City Council/Artspace Agreement: http://www.elpasotexas.gov/muni_clerk/agenda/12-07-10/12071012.pdf

Artspace Website: http://www.artspace.org/about/faq.html