Westin hotel project could revitalize El Paso airport area

Updated: Saturday, February 15 2014, 09:37 PM MST

By: Stacey Welsh

EL PASO, Texas -- The Sun City's first four star hotel could revitalize the El Paso International Airport area. Plans are in the works for a new Westin hotel at the intersection of Airway Boulevard and Boeing Drive.

EPIA Director Monica Lombrana expects the new hotel to have much more in store for El Paso because it's set to have retail space nearby.

"We're looking at it in terms of redeveloping the entire area of the southern industrial park over time. We recently rezoned that to SmartCode. We have a master plan for that entire area," Lombrana said.

"I think that as long as it's going to stimulate the economy, it's a good choice for the area and also for El Paso," central El Paso resident Ruben Ville said.

The plan for more restaurants and retail locations could benefit other hotels in the area.

"There isn't anything aside from two restaurants to go out to at the end of the day," Lombrana said.

However, some are afraid the project would only bring more traffic to the airport area.

"They've got hotels up all over the city. Put them all on Interstate 10. That's where all the competition is anyway. I don't see any reason for building more hotels, especially a hotel that size," East El Paso resident Roger Jernigan said.

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Westin hotel project could revitalize El Paso airport area