EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The planned Sunset Amphitheater in Northeast El Paso has been delayed, now targeting a fall 2027 opening, and its cost has increased by $60 million.

Venu Holding Corporation gave residents an update Thursday during a community meeting at the Sun Metro Northgate Transfer Center in Northeast El Paso.

The full presentation Venu shared during Thursday’s meeting can be viewed here:

The amphitheater is planned near the former Cohen Stadium site.

El Paso City Council approved the project in April 2024.

It is expected to include a 12,500-seat outdoor concert venue, with the city supporting the project through about $31 million in performance-based incentives.

The project was once expected to open in 2026.

Venu now says the target opening is fall 2027.

Robert Mudd, Senior Vice President of Market Expansion for Venu Holding Corporation, said people may not see major construction at the site yet, but design work has continued.

“What you saw today in the presentation is all the design work. I mean, there’s literally millions of dollars of design work that go into a project like that, and that has been continuing so that when we do hit the ground running, we get our permits. We can move at a rapid pace,” Mudd said.

Venu also announced the project is now expected to cost well over $160 million, up from the original projection of about $100 million.

That money is VENU’S private investment in the project.

Mudd said part of that increase comes from additional features, including advanced audio-visual technology.

“The AV that we’re putting into this, which is an additional $30 million, is going to be a game changer. It is going to be on the front page of the music industry’s tab,” Mudd said.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the project has been why people have not seen major construction at the site.

Venu’s presentation said construction was delayed until land was secured for parking.

Jordan Salas reports on the cost rising for the much delayed Sunset Amphitheater

Mudd said the city is responsible for putting the parking together, but Venu has been working with the city on the plan.

“The city has the responsibility of putting the parking together, and we partnered with them to look at multiple different designs so that safety, traffic and cost efficiency are all taken into consideration. You can call it a delay or you can call it taking the time to do good planning. I prefer the latter, and that’s what we’ve done with the city,” Mudd said.

The parking plan is tied to land connected to El Paso Community College.

EPCC trustees are expected to consider a letter of intent with the City of El Paso on Friday regarding a proposed ground lease and development coordination for the Cohen Sunset Amphitheatre.

Mudd said Venu is working with both the city and EPCC on the parking plan.

“We’re fully aligned on the plan and we’ve worked in great unity with both the college and the city. And so we’re excited about it. They’re obviously doing their due diligence, which is an important piece of that. And we expect it to work out. And that gives us the path forward. If it doesn’t work out, we’ve got other options to consider as well. We’ll be ready to move,” Mudd said.

Permits are another step before construction can begin.

Mudd said Venu has a city-approved development agreement, but still needs to submit construction drawings before permits can be issued.

“We have the development agreement that the city has approved for the nature of our business. But permits come with construction drawings. We don’t have those yet because we haven’t submitted the construction drawings. So that’s the next step for us,” Mudd said.

Mudd said those civil drawings are expected to be completed by the end of September.

Architectural work is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with civil construction targeted for October.

El Paso City Rep. Cynthia Boyar Trejo, who represents parts of Northeast El Paso, said she believes the project could be a major boost for the area and the Borderland in general.

“It’s going to be great, not only for northeast but our community as a whole. You know, 12,500 seats and 70 shows a year. It’s going to be amazing for our community,” Trejo said.

Venu’s presentation also projects a $5 billion economic impact over 20 years.

The company also projects about $105 million in annual direct revenue once the venue is operating.

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