EL PASO, Texas [KFOX14] — A former city manager of El Paso shared her thoughts on the city’s proposal regarding the Multipurpose Cultural and Performing Arts Center.
In early February, the city council discussed building the MPCC in the area in the back of the Union Depot building off Paisano Drive.
While the city did not approve the site location during that meeting, the site remains the number one contender for the project.
Joyce Wilson, who was the former city manager in 2012 when voters approved the quality of life bond to include a multipurpose center, said the city should not move forward with the current project proposal as it’s not what voters had approved.
“Voters wanted a large multi purpose arena facility for events, sports and entertainment with a minimum of 14-thousand seats, that’s what we said we wanted to build, that’s what we put on the bond and that’s what we deserve,” Wilson said.
The city’s current proposal includes a center with 4,000 indoor seats and 4,000 outdoor seats.
Wilson added the size of the project is very similar to what the city already has and does not see it attracting projects traveling east.
“It’s not big enough to capture the projects traveling east from Phoenix and Albuquerque because their venues are like 15-20-thousand seats so people playing in that kind of venue are not going to come here for an 8-thousand seat venue.”
According to a city presentation, there were 13 potential sites analyzed and the site of the Union Depot building stood out as the top choice.
Daniela Quesada, an architect with the City of El Paso explained earlier this month that she and others believe the Union Depot area could be a fruitful opportunity for the city.
“We have all these fantastic new hotels within walking distance of this site, we have all these wonderful amenities, the baseball stadium, the convention center and just so many activities that could fold into what the experience of coming to El Paso for a concert or some other kind of entertainment event could be,” Quesada said.
As the city council works to make their decision on the final site location, Wilson said she believes they should table the plan for now until the city has a better plan.
“This is 2024, we put $150 million into what they’re proposing, it’ll be 2044 before we’re able to do anything, they’re mortgaging off the next 10-plus years of our debt capacity.”
The City Council said it would be hosting community meetings throughout the month to ensure the community is part of the site selection process.
The topic is expected to be discussed again during City Council meetings in March.
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