Northpark Mall (El Paso: purchasing, tax, to live)

[simbared]

I don't live in El Paso anymore, but I do have some properties there. I'm wondering what residents (and fellow taxpayers) think of the city purchasing Northpark Mall for $6 Million with the idea that someone will want to turn it into a mixed-use development. If nobody wanted it before, how is the city going to make it more attractive? Will tax incentives be enough to entice a developer?

As far as residential development is concerned, I don't know who would want to live so close to the proposed transit center on the old Furrs property right next door. I think the city bought that burned out mess for $2 Million, even though it was reportedly on the market for a whole lot less with no takers.

Maybe there is more to these transactions than what has been reported, but it sure seems like taxpayers have spent a whole bunch of money for some very questionable assets.

[atrabilius]

I don't know. If it can't be made to work as a mall, and it's just sitting there deteriorating and attracting vandals and so forth, then it needs to be turned into something else that will work; if that means tearing it down, so be it.

Looks like the El Paso Museum of Natural History is gone from the mall, if not closed down altogether, according to the El Paso Times; they didn't mention it. I never hear about that museum anymore.

[alov0303]

The museum is near the library downtown

[atrabilius]

Originally Posted by alov0303

The museum is near the library downtown

Okay. I thought that was Insights.