Weekly Edition, Issue 14

The Weekly Edition, Issue 14, has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE.

In this edition:

• Aldea Seeks Frontage/Overpass Agreement: Deal May Help Green-Light Construction
• Retail Buzz: Building Permits Shed Light on 'Fountains' Tenants
• Work Begins this Month on San Jacinto Improvements: Plaza will Close for 18 Months
  
  >>> GO TO THE WEEKLY EDITION <<<

Don't forget to sign up to be notified when each week's new issue is available. Subscribe below.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

Downtown Demo

Demolition is well underway on a property owned by the Borderplex Community Trust (BCT) in downtown El Paso, one of two parcels the real estate investment trust plans on tearing down near San Jacinto Plaza.

The City Council approved demolition of the remaining structure (left in photo), a Henry Trost designed building deemed “non-contributing,” overriding the Historic Landmark Commission’s earlier vote to deny the application.

Developers have indicated their intent to build a mixed-use project on the site, but immediate plans may include constructing a surface parking lot.

No other details or timelines have been made public by BCT representatives.

'Americas Managed Lanes' is Next Toll Project

CRRMA to Host Open House this Month

Transportation officials plan to add additional, tolled lanes to Loop 375 between the Zaragoza Port of Entry and Pellicano Drive in the coming years. Now, the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) will host an open house on July 18th to answer the public’s questions concerning the project.

One additional lane in each direction will be added to Loop 375 in the median, and will most likely be a toll lane with the existing main lanes remaining free. This would require the filling-in of median gaps in current overpass structures, such as those at Socorro Road, Alameda Avenue, and North Loop. The toll lane would continue the lanes currently under construction along the Border Highway between US-54 and Zaragoza Road.

The CRRMA would also like to add frontage road bridges over the Union Pacific railroad tracks where the gateways now end. Currently, traffic travelling between Alameda Avenue and North Loop Drive must enter the freeway and exit in quick succession. 

The original Request for Qualifications posted last year at the CRRMA website pegs the project at $37.6 million. The CRRMA/TXDOT open house will be held Thursday, July 18, 2013, at Del Valle High School, 950 Bordeaux Drive, in the Lower Valley from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The Public Meeting Notice may be viewed at the CRRMA website, www.crrma.org. 

Final Walmart Decision Set for Today (Update: Walmart Withdraws Plans)

Update: Representatives for Walmart asked the City to delete the item from the agenda prior to today's Council meeting. Walmart has also withdrawn its rezoning application, according to City Rep. Emma Acosta. If so, the project may have been scrapped by the retailer.

Original Story:
City Council to Hold Vote on Rezoning Application

The City Council will decide this week whether or not a new Walmart Neighborhood Market store can be built at the corner of Chelsea Street and Montana Avenue in central El Paso. The retailer has appealed the City Plan Commission’s (CPC) earlier decision not to approve a zoning change that would have allowed the store to be constructed.

A flyer supporting the proposed Walmart store has circulated in the neighborhood around the commercial property, according to residents. (elpasonaturally.blogspot.com)

Now, three-fourths of the Council will have to vote “yes” in order for the application to be approved. That is based on Texas Local Government Code section 211.006(d) which states that this ratio of majority is required when 20% or more of property owners within 200 feet of the affected property are opposed to the application.

Weekly Edition, Issue 13

The Weekly Edition, Issue 13, has arrived! Take a look at the newest issue of our Weekly Edition, by clicking HERE.

In this edition:

• Final Walmart Decision Set for this Week
• Americas Managed Lanes is Next Toll Project
• Downtown Demo

>>> GO TO THE WEEKLY EDITION <<<

Don't forget to sign up to be notified when each week's new issue is available. Subscribe below.

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name