Airport Project to Enhance Outdoor Landscape, Lighting

By Armando Landin   

The City of El Paso is looking to create a "sense of place" in areas surrounding and leading up to the airport, and a new project will soon add landscape and lighting enhancements as well as public art.

Landscape enhancements, landscape and architectural lighting, and an "artistic lighting element" are part of the $2.7 million project.

The City will consider awarding the consulting contract portion of the project to Meridian Green Works.

22-Story Mixed-Use Tower Planned for West El Paso

By Armando Landin   

A Florida based developer plans to build a mixed-use tower in West El Paso in the coming years, according to City documents. The 22-story highrise will go up near the corner of Sunland Park Drive and Mesa Street on a currently vacant lot, on Shadow Mountain Drive.

A rendering of the Shadow Mountain mixed use tower, planned for West El Paso. (Meyers Group)

The tower will be a mix of hotel and apartment units, with retail proposed for the ground floor. It will rise 256 feet, making it the second tallest building in El Paso. The Wells Fargo building in Downtown El Paso is 296 feet tall.

Asia Gateway Project Moves Forward at El Paso Zoo

By Armando Landin  

Getting into the Asia area at the El Paso Zoo will look a lot different in the future and will even include a new carousel. The City of El Paso is set to award the design and consultation contract for the Asia Gateway project.

The path into the Asia area of the El Paso Zoo will move several feet to the north, leading to the Asia Gateway, as shown with the green arrow in this site plan. The final site plan may differ, based on the consultant's design. (City of El Paso)

After the project is completed, a new path will take visitors around the northern side of the Asian Discovery Center and through a new "gateway" between it and the Grasslands Cafe.

San Jacinto Plaza to Celebrate April 16th Grand Opening with 'Fiesta'

San Jacinto Plaza will have a grand opening celebration on Saturday, April 16, 2016. That's according to a flyer released today which most will likely hope is not an April Fool's joke.

A dedication ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. followed by a celebration from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the park in Downtown El Paso. The plaza features newly renovated "Los Lagartos" sculpture by famed artist Luis Jimenez Jr.

Details Emerge on Four More Spray Parks, Coming to East and West El Paso

The four remaining City Districts in El Paso will also get spray parks in the coming year, and the city has revealed details on the locations and expected amenities.

Salvador Rivas Park in Far East El Paso will be getting a "Water Garden/Lakefront" themed spray park with features similar to those seen in this rendering. (City of El Paso)

In all, there will be eight spray parks spread throughout El Paso, all open to the public and free of admission. The City is moving forward with requesting bids for the design/build contracts on the final four, which are considered Phase Two of the spray park project.