EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Sito Negron joined Mike and Tricia Martinez on Second Cup on KTSM+ on Wednesday morning, April 15, to discuss his viewpoint towards El Paso’s proposed highway expansion plan.
Negron is a resident of Sunset Heights, located downtown, former president of the Sunset Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association, and works for the County Commissioners’ Office.
Following the El Paso City Council’s decision to move forward with plans for a Downtown Deck Plaza, Negron stated he is not a big supporter of the Deck Plaza, nor is he a huge opponent of it either.
City joins County in plan to keep Deck Plaza plan alive
Negron expressed his concern, which is mainly focused on the highway and what could come of widening the I-10 in Downtown.
He noted that the interstate roads in the Downtown area were reconstructed poorly in the 90’s, and was told by TxDOT officials that there are issues with the roadway’s makeup. This could cause possible damage to the layered roadways in extreme weather conditions.
The proposed expansion and Deck Plaza plans have raised community concern about opportunity and money cost, use of local taxpayers’ dollars, and possible changes in the surrounding area.
“When you widen a highway, you increase traffic, pollution, noise, vibrations, and heat all through the neighborhood,” Negron said. “I would rather spend $400 million on fixing our streets.”
He stated that he believes there are other locations in El Paso where a Deck Plaza might be better suited and easier to build.
https://www.ktsm.com/local/el-paso-news/el-paso-democrats-republicans-align-against-public-funding-for-deck-plaza/
“In some ways, El Paso is a growth machine; a lot of our resources go to supporting development. Negron said. “It’s a resource fight involving the area of El Paso that I really care about.”
Sito Negron’s full interview can be accessed on KTSM+
Tracy Yellen, chief executive officer of the Paseo Del Norte Foundation, will appear on Second Cup tomorrow for their side of the Deck Plaza story.
KTSM will continue following the plan’s development.
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