EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation launched “Elevate the 10,” a community-engagement campaign that wants to show El Pasoans the process, progress and the vision for the city’s future.
Elevate the 10, through community meetings, neighborhood events, videos and digital outreach, invites the community to learn more about the project. The Deck Plaza project is also closely tied to the Texas Department of Transportation’s plans to reconstruct Interstate 10 in the downtown corridor, which could influence the park’s footprint and design.
“The campaign underscores that the Deck Plaza is not just a downtown project, but a regional investment with lasting benefits for generations,” read a news release by the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation.
The Deck Plaza is a 6.5-acre multi-purpose park projected to generate about $310 million in economic activity, including $100 million in wages and new local and county sales tax revenue. In the long run, the project could generate an additional $660 million in economic activity while “supporting sustained job growth, business development and increased property value.”
“Elevate the 10 is about inviting every El Pasoan into this moment,” Tracy Yellen, president of the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation and CEO of the Paso Del Norte Community Foundation, said. “It asks us to imagine what’s possible when you cap a highway and it becomes a main gathering space for the entire community – providing green space, culture, and connections. This campaign is about pride, progress, and building something that will shape the future of El Paso.”
According to HR&A Advisors, a real estate and economic development research analysis business, the Deck Plaza could increase nearby property values by 5 to 10 percent and generate nearly $1 billion in economic activity over 30 years.
The Deck Plaza Foundation said the project has secured $74.5 million in funding, including $10 million from the Texas Legislature, $25 million from the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization, $3.15 million in federal community project funding, $1 million from the El Paso County and $35 million in private philanthropy.
As KTSM previously reported, Max Grossman with the El Paso Taxpayer Revolt, found that the majority of grant applications the City sought were denied. Four grants were denied, totaling slightly under $60 million.
In a feasibility study’s assessment report, the Deck Plaza project would cost around $207 million in 2027. However, after taking into account additional infrastructure and development, the true total would be closer to half a billion dollars.
“I am worried that the taxpayers will have to foot the bill,” Grossman said. “Our taxes keep going up every year. We have other priorities before building a concrete slab over our freeway.”
“The Deck Plaza represents a transformative opportunity for downtown El Paso and the entire region,” Joe Gudenrath, executive director of the Downtown Management District, said. “We’re already seeing momentum with new businesses, residents, and investments choosing downtown. The Deck Plaza will accelerate that growth while creating the kind of vibrant public space that makes cities truly great places to live, work, and gather. This is how El Paso competes for talent and investment in the 21st century.”
To stay up to date about the project, pop-up events and to provide input, you can visit their website or follow the Downtown Deck Plaza Facebook and Instagram platforms.
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