Futureland joined city decades ago, residents say infrastructure never caught up

EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — Tucked between U.S. 54 and Dyer in Northeast El Paso near Stan Roberts, the small Futureland neighborhood is surrounded by newer development, but some residents say basic city services still have not caught up decades after annexation.

“We’re just kind of fed up with being treated as a colonia in the middle of the city. Everybody else has lights. They have paved streets,” said resident Rick Canada.

Canada described Futureland as a former horse community with about 80 homes. He said the neighborhood was annexed into the city of El Paso in 1978, but infrastructure improvements never fully materialized.

“Back in 78, the county commissioners and the city agreed upon paved streets, utilities such as sewage, gas, police, fire lights. The only light on this street is when we pay for over our property,” Canada said.

Canada provided documents related to the annexation, including a memorandum that lists installation of water and sewage as part of long-range objectives.

Jordan Salas reports on Futureland joined city decades ago, residents say infrastructure never caught up (Credit: KFOX14)

In the neighborhood, City of El Paso trash bins could be seen outside homes, but Canada said other essentials remain missing. One concern residents raised is a roadway that is paved on one side and unpaved gravel on the other, next to newer development.

Canada said the split road has created a safety issue.

“We have one side of a paved street,” Canada said. “So now we have people battling east and west on the same lane.”

Canada also said homes in Futureland are not connected to city sewer service, leaving most residents to rely on septic tanks.

“If they’re across my street here, they have all the amenities… If they’re south of us, across from the railroad tracks. Yes, they all have all the city amenities,” Canada said. “We are still working with septic tanks at every house.”

The Futureland Neighborhood Association has been raising concerns with city officials, according to the report. Canada said City Rep. Cynthia Boyar Trejo, who represents the area, is the first to make an effort to look into possible solutions.

“It’s lacking sewage, streets, lighting. And so looking at all that and talking and talking to the various departments to see what we could do. There’s a lot of need in that community,” Boyar Trejo said.

Boyar Trejo said her office will need to work with funding and development, capital improvements and El Paso Water to determine what options may be available. Residents said they want a clear answer on what can be done and when.

“If we could get city sewage lights, paved streets, we’d be happy campers,” Canada said.

The city was contacted for more information and an interview. A city spokesperson said the city is looking into the reported 1978 annexation, infrastructure, sewer service and other public amenity concerns, and could have more information next week.

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