Downtown Arena Aims for 2020 Opening

By Armando Landin
 
The Downtown Arena in El Paso could open in early 2020, according to a contract the City will consider next week.

The Downtown 2015 Plan for El Paso (announced in 2006) envisioned a multipurpose arena with nearby hotel, retail, and restaurant uses, as seen in this concept drawing. (Downtown 2015 Plan)

The El Paso City Council is set to consider approving a "Owner’s Representative Services" contract for the $180 million Downtown Arena that would essentially assign a management company to the project.

This contract includes managing the Arena project through all of its phases, officially known as the Multi-Purpose Cultural and Performing Arts Center. This includes site selection, choosing the design team, and overseeing construction.

Public Engagement Sought for ‘Signature’ Projects

City to Hold First Outreach Workshop for Arena, Children’s Museum, & Cultural Center

The firm chosen by the City of El Paso to help determine the sites for the Quality of Life ‘Signature Projects’ will hold the first of four public outreach workshops today. HKS, Inc. of Dallas will be introduced at the March 26 meeting and will outline steps for the proposed Master Plan Study.

The location for the upcoming Quality of Life ’Signature Projects’ has not yet been determined. HKS, Inc., a firm out of Dallas, will hold outreach meetings to get public opinion on the projects. This image is part of a City of El Paso brochure indicating projects that were on the 2012 ballot (City of El Paso)

The three signature projects approved by voters in 2012 include a Multipurpose Cultural and Performing Arts Facility (Arena), a Children’s Museum, and a Hispanic Cultural Center. Seventy-one percent of voters approved the measure.