City issues notice of demolition for properties in Union Plaza neighborhood – KFOX El Paso

309 Chihuahua Street in El Paso, Texas. (Credit: Google Earth)

The city is one step closer to demolition to make way for the Multipurpose Performing Arts and Entertainment Center.

On Monday, the city announced it had issued notices to proceed with the demolition of eight privately owned properties within the facilitys footprint.

None of the following eight buildings are owned by the city:

A temporary agreed order to give notice of demolition was issued by Judge William Moody on Aug. 4. The notice has a 14-day expiration period, before demolition can begin.

As previously reported, a total of 42 people lived within the downtown arenas footprint. The city said 39 of the 40 renters have relocated with the assistance packages given to them by the city.

Fire Station 11, located at 331 Santa Fe St. and the building owned by Billy Abraham at 212 W. Overland Ave. are not included in the demolition plan.

An Austin judge ruled earlier this month that the city cannot use the voter-approved bonds to construct, design, improve, renovate or equip the facility to be suitable for a sports arena, nor could the city use outside funding to do so.

The City Council then voted to appeal the portions of the judges decision relating to sports events and how they could be funded.

"There are too many ambiguous things, Mayor Dee Margo said. There's not clarity on the venue. Is that using the analogy, 'So we want to do "Disney on Ice" as a form of entertainment opportunities. Well, does that preclude us then from having a hockey game after "Disney on Ice"?' I mean, it's just not clear. Plus, some of the issues related to funding could have limitations on projects around the city."

The city said general obligation bonds issued by the city for the multipurpose center will not be affected by the citys decision to appeal and said bonds previously sold to pay for part of the project and all other issuance of bonds to pay for it are general obligation bonds of the city.

General obligation bonds are secured by and payable from city property taxes.

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City issues notice of demolition for properties in Union Plaza neighborhood - KFOX El Paso