Convetion Center (San Antonio, El Paso, Anton: hotels, construction, arena)

[SA2EP?]

Hey Everyone,


How old is the current convetion center in El Paso? Are there any plans in the works to expand/renovate it?

[HIGH!Lonesome]

The Civic Center was started in 1969 and completed and opened in 1972, it was remodeled about 7 or 8 years ago and the convention facility was expanded to 100,000 square feet.

[SA2EP?]

thanks HL. Is there a convention center hotel attatched or is there one in the works?

[HIGH!Lonesome]

They want to build another hotel around the vicinity of the civic center, but theres one slight problem and that is hotel rooms does downtown have enough of them?

For starters the up coming Double Tree and Artisian Hotel will add more rooms, I think that the Artisian is kinda of holding up, they were not to happy with the Double Tree coming into the market which this probably also stall the other hotel that is been planed around the civic center area.

There is a hotel that is also planed with the arena and another one planed across the street from the Chase Bank and San Jancinto Plaza, El Paso will need hundreds of thousands of hoteliers to fill up all those rooms, not to mention that the other hotels outside of downtown are not very favorable for any new downtown hotels.

[SA2EP?]

I can see how that would scare the other hotels. Maybe after Foster's development downtown gets going, that could be the fuel for other hotels to build. Any news on when Foster plans to start his construction? El Paso has a ton of potential, it just needs to be tapped (which I think is slowly happening)

[HIGH!Lonesome]

Foster's downtown developement is the long awaited boost that downtown needs, it's a shot in the arm for downtown growth and expectations, yes there are tons of potentials and slowly they need to be tap'ed and put into good use, like your arts idea, El Pasoans need to start coming foward and sharing their talents, just like the Mars Voltra young rock group with explosive sounds, imagine getting all of El Paso's talents for a one afternoons performance in downtown every Saturday and then on Sunday's then everyday backed by popular demand.

[SA2EP?]

Oh i agree. In San Antonio, they have a festival once a month called First Friday. It's like a mini fiesta, a ton of fun. Go to southtown.net to read more about it. That would be cool to have downtown where all the streets will be closed off. They could call it the Sun Festival or something

[grad-student]

You might want to check this out

"In 2008, Alfresco! Friday’s enters its 6th season. Alfresco Friday’s provides a casual way to experience some of the best established and upcoming local bands. Originally conceived as a way of keeping employees downtown at the start of the weekend, the concerts quickly became a draw for visitors to downtown. The upcoming season will feature Big Band Jazz, Reggae, Classic Rock, Ska, Blues and more. The upcoming season will also feature an Artist Market, providing local artists and artisans a venue to connect with the community."

This is from
Music Under the Stars & Alfresco! Fridays

[SA2EP?]

That's cool. I will check that out for sure once I am out there. I hope it keeps growing, those kind of events are great for the city. Anything to bring the citizens together for a good time!

[Six Foot Three]

Originally Posted by SA2EP?

Anything to bring the citizens together for a good time!

Too bad that Mountain Shadow Lakes aren't around anymore as it was cool back in the 80's when then El Paso Mayor Jon Rogers would show up at the 4th of July party out there and drink some Brewskies and Barbecue with the EP citizens back then.....