EL PASO, Texas [KFOX14] — The City of El Paso is considering a new site location to build the Multipurpose Cultural and Performing Arts Center.
The MPCC was originally approved by voters in a bond in 2012.
The new possible location is blocks away from the previous location that was being considered within the Chihuahuita Neighborhood off Santa Fe Street.
As we reported, the city council stopped the project in January of 2023 after they decided to not build the MPCC in the Chihuahuita neighborhood, due to a group of people arguing the city-owned buildings are historic.
The new site being considered is the old Union Depot off Paisano Drive in Downtown El Paso.
KFOX14 spoke to residents who were mainly in favor of the project moving forward in the new site location.
“It’s going to bring a lot more new types of people, new types of talent to El Paso,” Tyler Baltierra said.
Multiple studies have been conducted to identify the area of Union Plaza as the new possible location, according to a city presentation.
El Pasoan Tyler Baltierra added the location should not be a problem for people to access, so long the venue is booked with what people want.
“As long as you bring the people on what they want to see, it’s really the most important part.”
The presentation also noted that the new site location is walking distance from the Convention Center and Chihuahua’s ballpark which would further grow the city’s economy.
KFOX14 spoke to Carmen Rodriguez, the president of Project Regeneracion which a non-profit that has been working to restore the Chihuahuita neighborhood, about the new possible location for the MPCC.
Rodriguez said it is a step in the right direction but still remains hesitant.
“Hopefully it’s going to be far enough from the residential area that it won’t have a large impact but we don’t know.”
Rodriguez added the flow of traffic in the area still remains a concern but will hope for the best, for the residents in the area.
“As long as the entry, and the exits to the area are not going to be coming through the residential area, it may work.”
El Pasoan, Matt Hagardy added he moved to El Paso around the time the Chihuahua’s ballpark was being built, adding it brought positive growth to El Paso and believes the MPCC would do the same.
“It’s the best decision El Paso ever made, it just changed the logistics of the whole Downtown for El Paso,” said Hagardy,
El Paso City Council is set to discuss and take action on selecting the location.
The item will be discussed during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Feb. 13.
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