EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The City of El Paso’s proposed police command center in Cielo Vista cleared a zoning hurdle with approval from the plan commission.
Commissioners unanimously approved the city’s application for a special permit on the former Bonham Elementary School property on Thursday, April 9. According to city staff, the command center will use two existing buildings with improvements and have 133 parking spaces available for staff and the public.
The command center will also have six bicycle parking spots.
In a statement to KTSM 9 News, city officials disclosed that the project is voter-approved to be funded:
The City is moving forward with plans to construct its Central Police Regional Command Center, at 7024 Cielo Vista Drive. The voter‑approved project, funded through the 2019 Public Safety Bond Program, is in the final stages of its design phase. As part of the project development process, City staff today went before the City Plan Commission to discuss the need for a special zoning permit to allow the property to serve a government use. The property was previously zoned for use as an elementary school.
During Thursday’s meeting, city officials said 52 notices were sent to 57 properties within a 300-foot radius of the facility. Two residents called to support the project and three asked for information, according to city officials.
The command center’s improvements will be built with $24.6 million from the 2019 Public Safety Bond. The city purchased Bonham Elementary from the El Paso Independent School District for $4.76 million in April 2024.
Cielo Vista Command Center (City of El Paso)
Commissioners highlighted the impact city employees will have for nearby restaurants and stores. But also raised concerns about what traffic it will draw for the nearby neighborhood.
When built, the facility will replace the Downtown command center, according to city officials, though metro and officers on bicycle will continue to use the building.
City planners have planned for a ponding area between the existing properties and softball field. For now, city officials say the softball field will remain untouched.
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