Opening Day Arrives

El Paso Chihuahuas Set to Play First True Home Game

Chico, the El Paso Chihuahuas mascot.
(El Paso Chihuahuas)

Many months of construction and tens of millions of dollars later, the brand new baseball stadium in Downtown El Paso will host its first game ever tonight. The El Paso Chihuahuas Triple-A team will take on the Fresno Grizzlies at 7:05 p.m. in a game that sold out months back.

The stadium will not be 100% complete when the doors open to the public in the early evening, though those areas vital to the game's operation are expected to be up and running, including most public areas.

According to the Chihuahuas website, the total cost of the park is $74 million. Construction crews have been racing against the clock, and team officials earlier this year opted to play the team's first official home stand in Tucson to allow more time to ready the Downtown El Paso ballpark, moving opening day from April 11 to April 28.

Southwest University Stadium gets a final drenching before opening day in Downtown El Paso. (El Paso Chihuahuas)

Last year, the former City Hall building was demolished to make way for the stadium, which will seat 7,500 but has room for larger crowds, such as today's expected 9,000 plus. Recently, the team's mascot Chico was introduced, and the park's official name, Southwest University Park, was announced.

Tickets are still available for other games in the eight-game home stand and can be purchased at the box office or at epchihuahuas.com.

Less Than One Week Left for Stadium

Crews Have Only Six Days Until Triple-A Home Opener

In just six days, the seats at the brand new Triple-A ballpark will be filled to capacity in the very first game for the El Paso Chihuahuas at Southwest University Park. Construction crews are working non-stop to ensure the stadium will be ready for opening day on April 28, 2014.

The field at the Downtown ballpark is lush with green grass. Construction is ongoing behind right field. (Armando Landin/El Paso Development News)

A tour of the stadium on Saturday made clear that there is much left to do before the gates open to the public. Construction workers seem to be working on every level, installing wiring, laying pavers, and generally honing in on the details that need finishing up.

The concourse, which was somewhat soaked from an afternoon downpour, has clear views of the field. Concession stands and carts sit ready to be filled with food and drink.

Stenciled wayfinding signage is included along the concourse at Southwest University Park in Downtown El Paso. (Armando Landin/El Paso Development News)

The team store has empty shelves and display units awaiting merchandise like t-shirts and baseball caps. It is accessible from the concourse level. Nearby, elevators will take game attendees to and from the upper concourse as well as to the suite levels on the upper floors.

Weekly Edition, Issue 52

The Weekly Edition, Issue 52 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:

• One Week Left for Stadium: Crews Have Only Seven Days Until Triple-A Home Opener
• Mixed-Use Apartments Proposed for West El Paso: Two Four Story Buildings to Include Housing, Commercial Spaces
• Planned Campbell Apartments Pictured in Rendering

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Ballpark to Pursue LEED-Silver Certification

With the finishing touches being put on Southwest University Park in Downtown El Paso, the City is now highlighting the structure’s level of sustainability. The Engineering and Construction Management Department of the City of El Paso will seek LEED-Silver certification from the United States Green Building Council.

A recent aerial photograph of Southwest University Park, released by ZTEX Construction, shows newly placed sod on the field. (ZTEX Construction)

The LEED designation—LEED stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design—is described by the Council as “a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.”

Weekly Edition, Issue 50

The Weekly Edition, Issue 50 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:

• Tilted Kilt to Open in West El Paso: Chain Brings Sport Pub Experience with Scottish Twist
• Two New Eateries Open at 'Fountains': Craze, La Madeleine Latest to Open Doors on the Promenade
• Ballpark to Pursue LEED-Silver Certification
• UTEP Construction Updates: Centennial Plaza, Sun Bowl Drive Work Continues

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Under One Month Left for Downtown Stadium

Sod Goes In, Concessions Menu Announced for Triple-A Ballpark

Crews at the Triple-A ballpark construction site in Downtown El Paso began laying down the infield sod on Friday, exactly one month before opening day for the brand new stadium. The Bermuda grass being used was grown at a sod farm in central Texas.

Sprinklers drench recently laid sod at the Downtown El Paso ballpark . (El Paso Chihuahuas)

Construction is ongoing as workers race to beat the clock and open the stadium on time on April 28, 2014. The El Paso Chihuahuas Triple-A baseball team will take the field at the 7,500-seat ballpark in what will be the first official game in the Sun City.

Weekly Edition, Issue 49

The Weekly Edition, Issue 49 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:

• 2nd Charrette to be Held for Upper Valley Development: Findings from First Community Design Meeting Released
• Under One Month Left for Downtown Stadium: Sod Goes In, Concessions Menu Announced for Triple-A Ballpark

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Chihuahuas Sell Out Opening Day

Individual Game Tickets on Sale, Promotional Schedule Released

Tickets for the El Paso Chihuahuas Triple-A baseball home opener sold out within a few hours on Saturday, when single-game tickets first went on sale. The 7,500-seat stadium will have its grand opening on April 28, 2014, beginning an eight game home stand.

In a press release, General Manager Brad Taylor stated, "Once again El Paso and the region has shown their passion and desire for Triple-A baseball. We are thankful that so many want to be a part of Chihuahuas baseball from the beginning and going forward."

The team held an event at the Convention Center on Saturday to promote the beginning of single game tickets being on sale. Previously, only season tickets were available for purchase.

Fans can still purchase tickets for other games at the Abraham Chavez Box Office beginning March 17, 2014, or by going to epchihuahuas.com. Reserved seats start at $8 in advance and $10 the day of the game.

Weekly Edition, Issue 47

The Weekly Edition, Issue 47 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:

• Chihuahuas Sell Out Opening Day: Individual Game Tickets on Sale, Promotional Schedule Released
• Retail Buzz: Grimaldi's Pizzeria to Open at 'Fountains'
• Sun Metro Brings 22 New Buses to Its Fleet
• TXDOT May Add Lanes to Loop 375 Along Joe Battle

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Sneak Peak at Chihuahuas' Player Lockers

New Stadium Name Revealed

The lockers that El Paso Chihuahuas baseball players will use have arrived at the stadium site and are ready for installation. A photograph of one of the lockers, which are courtesy of Jordan Foster Construction, shows wooden paneling with an "EP" emblazoned on the lower panel.

Team officials also announced today that the ballpark will be named Southwest University Park. The new name for the stadium is part of a 20 year sponsorship agreement with Southwest University at El Paso. Opening day for the stadium is scheduled for April 28, 2014.

Seat Installation Underway at Triple-A Stadium

Crews began installing seats this past weekend at the Triple-A baseball stadium in Downtown El Paso. The event was kicked off by the El Paso Chihuahuas’ first season ticket holders, Dr. Brent Michener and Jill Michener, and by the winner of the “Name the Team” contest, Shae Vierra.

Newly installed seats gleam in the sun at the Triple-A stadium in Downtown El Paso. (El Paso Chihuahuas)

The seat installation marks another milestone in the stadium’s construction timeline, which is nearing its end and should culminate with the ballpark’s opening in late April. About 7,500 seats will be installed throughout the park. No word on how many of those seats have been purchased by season ticket holders.

Lighting has already been installed many feet above the ballpark, and work is ongoing to get the playing field finished as crews continue pouring gravel and sand to lay the foundation for sod.

Last month, team officials opted to not play the Chihuahuas’ first home stand in El Paso to give construction crews more time to complete the stadium. The Chihuahuas are now aiming for an opening date of April 28, 2014.

Weekly Edition, Issue 46

The Weekly Edition, Issue 46 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:

• Seat Installation Underway at Triple-A Stadium
• Tree House Play Area to Open at Zoo this Weekend
• Latest Montecillo Aerial Photo Shows Progress
• In Case You Missed It: Outlet Shoppes Announces Expansion

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Ballpark Crews Begin Work on Baseball Field

Lighting Fixture Installation is Now Complete

Construction crews at Downtown El Paso’s new Triple-A baseball stadium began placing gravel and sand on the grounds of the ballpark last week to prepare for installation of the final playing field.

Crews pour gravel into place at the Triple-A baseball stadium construction site in Downtown El Paso. (City of El Paso)

Several tons of material will result in about four inches of gravel with ten inches of soil on top. This will set the stage for installation of Bermuda grass sod that will be rolled out on the field in the middle of March. The 14 inches of base material will serve as a drainage foundation.

Weekly Edition, Issue 45

The Weekly Edition, Issue 45 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:

• Mulligan Building Sparkles as Renovation Nears End: Crews Complete Work on Historic Building's Exterior
• San Jacinto Plaza's Next Phase of Construction to Begin: Goundbreaking to be Held this Week
• Ballpark Crews Begin Work on Baseball Playing Field: Lighting Fixture Installation is Now Complete

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Triple-A Stadium Construction Gets Two Additional Weeks

El Paso Chihuahuas officials are moving forward with their plan to postpone the Triple-A stadium’s opening until the second home stand for the baseball team.

A look at the main stadium structure at the Downtown El Paso ballpark. (El Paso City Development Department)

The decision will give construction crews more than two additional weeks to finish readying the stadium for the team. The first four “home” games will now be played at the team’s former home in Tucson.

The stadium's southern edge overlooks
adjacent train tracks in Downtown El Paso.
(City Development Department)

Opening day at the park will now be April 28, 2014, instead of the original April 11 date.

A few local media outlets were given a tour of the construction site last week, which included visits to several areas of the ballpark, including the team areas below the stands.

Stadium lights are now being installed on their respective pole structures, and roofing materials are being readied for placement.

Weekly Edition, Issue 44

The Weekly Edition, Issue 44 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:

• Retail Update: Changes for North Hills Crossing: Tenants Added, Removed from Latest Conceptual Site Plan
• TI:ME at Montecillo Debuts New Website: 'Non-Traditional' Shopping Center to Open this Year
• Triple-A Stadium Construction Gains Two More Weeks
• NewsBits by El Paso DevWire

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Ballpark Construction May Move To 24-Hour Schedule

City to Hold Community Meeting to Discuss Updates

The City of El Paso will hold a community meeting on Tuesday to provide updates on construction of the Downtown baseball stadium. According to the meeting notice, the City may move forward with a schedule which includes construction work that will continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Steel for what will become a pedestrian bridge is placed last month at the baseball stadium construction site in Downtown El Paso. Construction crews may soon go to a 24-hour a day schedule. (El Paso Chihuahuas)

The more intense construction schedule is likely due to a fast-approaching opening day, a date tentatively set for April 11, 2014, just over two months away. Crews recently put the last piece of steel in place, another step in the stadium’s road to reality.

Weekly Edition, Issue 42

The Weekly Edition, Issue 42 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:

• Ballpark Construction May Move to 24-Hour Schedule: City to Hold Community Meeting to Discuss Updates
• New Park Coming to Central El Paso Neighborhood: Austin Terrace to Get Green Space, Playgrounds
• Savoy Apartments Design Updated

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Final Piece of Steel Placed at Downtown Ballpark

Construction crews at the Downtown El Paso Triple-A ballpark construction site reached another milestone today as the final piece of steel was lifted into place.

A crane lifts the final piece of steel into place at the Downtown El Paso ballpark site. (El Paso Chihuahuas)

The "Topping Off" ceremony is just another step in the baseball stadium's march towards completion. A ceremonial banner was hung from the piece, which will form part of the right-field bleachers.

The banner is attached to the final piece of steel, waiting to be set in place at the Downtown El Paso baseball stadium construction site. (El Paso Chihuahuas)

A gallery of pictures from today's ceremony can be seen at the official El Paso Chihuahuas website. Opening day is scheduled for April.

What’s In Store For 2014

These Are the Major Projects to Look Forward to This Year

It’s a new year in El Paso, and several major development projects are scheduled to get underway or be completed in 2014. From freeway projects on the West Side to major medical facilities on the East Side, most parts of the Sun City should see major activity.

Here’s a look at some of the larger developments that should see progress this year.

Projects slated for El Paso this year include (counterclockwise from top left) I-10 Collector-Distributor Lanes, the Montecillo Town Center, the Triple-A Ballpark, San Jacinto Plaza’s renovation, the Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing building, the Airport Hotel/Retail Complex, Eastside Crossings, the Sierra Providence East Medical Center expansion, the William Beaumont Army Medical Center replacement hospital, and the Northgate Transit-Oriented Development.

I-10 Collector-Distributor Lanes
Plans to add collector-distributor (CD) lanes to Interstate 10 in West El Paso have been in the works for years, but the project recently got a shot in the arm in the form of funding support from the County of El Paso. Now, the $150 freeway project could be set for construction to begin by the end of 2014.

The CD lanes will create a buffer for the main lanes by “collecting” and “distributing” traffic to and from on- and off-ramps between Executive Center Boulevard and Mesa Street. The number of lanes will vary along the five mile stretch of I-10.

Initial renderings of the planned project included toll lanes when first unveiled years back, but now only include regular main lanes in the middle of the freeway. No word on whether or not toll lanes will be included after all. The future, toll-only Border Highway West will have an interchange with I-10 within the boundaries of this project.

Montecillo Town Center
West El Paso should see a good amount of progress on the highly anticipated Montecillo Town Center project which will include the Alamo Drafthouse theater location as an anchor. The SmartCode development’s “Entertainment District” will include street retail, a big box retail space, commercial office space, and 99 residential units, according to initial site plan details.

No concrete timeline has been disclosed by the project’s developer, though the Alamo Drafthouse’s announcement in March of 2013 indicated it would be soon, and has indicated plans to open in Fall of 2014. Crews finally broke ground in November 2013 and have been working to clear the site for construction ever since.