latest news on the downtown revitilazation project? (El Paso, River Oaks: purchasing, construction)

[LEVOW]

Does anybody have any news on the project in downtown, im all for it myself, do you think theyll eventually resort to eminent domain?

[mando111]

Investment in downtown is going on slowly but surely. There are lots of properties changing hands. Part of the reason so little has come out publicly is because so much of the revitalization will be due to private investors. Groups such as Borderplex Community Trust, River Oaks Properties, and EP Overland/Stanton Joint Venture have been quietly purchasing buildings and lots for development. And Paul Foster (and friends) has developed a keen interest in investing and improving downtown.

Also, the TIRZ board got the City Council to hire a consultant named Marcus Jahns to develop an implementation plan, which should be due out by February.

Eminent domain is a touchy subject, and Mayor Cook will do everything and anything he can to avoid using it for revitalization. But he believes it isn't feasible to completely remove it from the Downtown Plan's "toolbox" in the event that one person tries to thwart an entire public project.

[LEVOW]

Thanks mando for the info, im really excited about all the progress in the downtown area, im really excited about the new federal courthouse, alot of times, it takes 1 big project like that, for the rest to follow.

[HIGH!Lonesome]

You know that new courthouse under construction is the very first highrise of the new century being built in El Paso, hopefully others will follow.

[mando111]

I'm all about the Downtown Plan, so I try to get informed about anything and everything having to do with it. I truly believe that in 2008, major changes will begin to take shape, mostly due to investors like Bill Sanders and Paul Foster.

And you're absolutely right Levow, the federal courthouse will be a nice shot-in-the-arm for downtown, especially the immediate area. My hope mirrors HighLonesome that this is the beginning of a building boom in our city's center.

I created a Myspace page last year whose only focus is the Downtown Plan and its developments. Feel free to check it out:

www.myspace.com/backthedowntownplan

I try and update it as much as possible.

[LEVOW]

http://www.elpasoinc.com/showArticle.asp?articleId=2102

[peggydavis]

Thanks for all the information. The revitalization plan for downtown will be interesting to follow. Sometimes just one project will lead to all kinds of good things happening.

[LEVOW]

Originally Posted by peggydavis

Thanks for all the information. The revitalization plan for downtown will be interesting to follow. Sometimes just one project will lead to all kinds of good things happening.

i agree peggy, we need to start living by the saying, ' build it and they will come" El Paso and el pasoans are scared of change, but its required to progress

[peggydavis]

It sounds from those articles that some good leaders, both public and private, are for the changes. Many people have heard of projects gone terribly wrong, so they are suspicious. Once one thing works, they become more positive.

Many times when one owner of a property renovates, it inspires (or shames) nearby property owners into fixing up their own places. It just takes that one to start the chain.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by peggydavis

Thanks for all the information. The revitalization plan for downtown will be interesting to follow. Sometimes just one project will lead to all kinds of good things happening.

Yep, that's all it takes sometimes. I hope these private investors really pull out their wallets. Some new buildings in downtown El Paso will look great against those nice mountains in the background.