El Paso voters halted plans to build a long-embattled multipurpose performing arts and entertainment center Tuesday as 56% of them cast ballots in favor of revoking the city’s authority to continue work on the project.
Unofficial final election results released early Wednesday by the El Paso County Elections Department showed 56% of voters approve canceling the project while 44% supported its continuance.
With the approval of Proposition A, voters in El Paso have formally revoked the city’s authority to issue the remaining $128.5 million in bonds that had been allocated for a multipurpose performing arts and entertainment facility in Downtown El Paso.
This vote effectively halts plans for the long-proposed arena under the original bond, which despite its strong support in 2012 has been mired in controversy over its location, size and scope for more than a decade.
The approval of the proposition, however, doesn’t stop the City Council from pursuing future initiatives to build a similar facility, though that would require a new bond proposal or alternative funding sources. If the council proposes a similar venue in the future, it could also vote whether or not to build it Downtown.
Approved as part of a $473.2 million quality-of-life bond in 2012, the arena was one of three signature projects that aimed to help revitalize Downtown. The children’s museum, La Nube STEAM Discovery Center, opened this summer; while the Mexican American Cultural Center is expected to open later this year.
The arena, which was earmarked for $180 million, was included in a proposition for museums, cultural, performing arts and libraries and was approved by 72% of voters.
Over the years, debates and community pushback have complicated the project, especially around potential sites such as the Duranguito neighborhood, the Abraham Chavez Theatre area and Union Depot.
The city invested about $18 million in property acquisitions in Duranguito, which it planned to sell to offset existing debt associated with the arena’s initial planning and acquisition efforts. The future of those properties will also be in the hands of the City Council, which could see up to six new members in January following Tuesday’s election.
