EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso County commissioners have taken another step toward deciding who will manage the El Paso County Coliseum in the future, approving a process that opens the door for competitive bids.
The commissioners approved moving forward with a request for proposal process for management of the county-owned venue.
County Judge Ricardo Samaniego also addressed allegations about the legality of discussions with the University of Texas at El Paso regarding a possible takeover of management.
“As a government entity, we have the right to enter into a local agreement, an interlocal agreement, without going to an RFP or opening the bid to anybody else. And so there were discussions with UTEP,” Samaniego said.
Samaniego said the county acted transparently and is legally allowed to hold those discussions without an RFP.
Emily Schmalz reports on El Paso County commissioners approve bidding process for Coliseum management (Credit: KFOX14)
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He said commissioners ultimately agreed to pursue an open bidding process.
“So we agreed right now that we are going to make an RFP and that we are going to make it fair to everybody and that everybody can be able to apply to manage the Coliseum,” Samaniego said.
The El Paso Sports Commission has managed the Coliseum since 2003, and its contract is set to expire in September 2027.
Last week, the commission’s director of communications, Tony Rodriguez, said the Sports Commission plans to submit a bid to keep management of the Coliseum.
Other potential bidders are also expressing interest.
Attorney Brian Kennedy, and former CEO of the El Paso Sports Commission, said an international management consultant he represents plans to submit a proposal.
“As a non-for-profit, there’s some restraints, and as a for-profit company, we can do some things they can’t,” Kennedy said.
That’s why my company, an IMC that I’m representing, is going to bid on it.
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Some community members said they are concerned about possible changes in management.
Dora Villanueva, president of the Valle Verde Neighborhood Association, said the Coliseum has long been a gathering place and she wants it to remain that way.
“We’re happy with our Coliseum. That’s our memory lane,” Villanueva said.
“We don’t need no other management. The management we had, we’re very happy with it because they work with us. They work with the children. They work with the elderly. Those are the ones that don’t have that much money. And that’s why we fight for it,” she said.
A request for additional comment from Samaniego about allegations that conversations with UTEP began in September was not returned in time for publication.
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