El Paso County leaders took a key step in the controversial effort to build a park over Interstate 10 in Downtown El Paso, as the Texas Department of Transportation prepares to rebuild the highway corridor in a way that could determine whether the deck plaza can ever be built.<\/p>\n
County commissioners have approved a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, tied to the proposed Downtown I-10 Deck Plaza. <\/p>\n
The agreement is nonbinding and would not commit any funding right now. It includes El Paso County, the city of El Paso and the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation, and is intended to keep all three working together on planning and funding options.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: Poll: Do you support the I-10 Deck Plaza project?<\/a><\/p>\n County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said staying part of the agreement keeps the county involved in decisions about the project. <\/p>\n \u201cIf we weren\u2019t participating in the MOU, the city could decide everything on their own, so we want to be at the table,\u201d Samaniego said.<\/p>\n The timing is tied to TxDOT\u2019s plans to rebuild a stretch of I-10 through downtown, from UTEP to just east of downtown.<\/p>\n If leaders do not plan for the deck during that construction, it may not be possible to build it later.<\/p>\n Samaniego said the MOU is a chance to pursue funding, including private dollars.<\/p>\n RECOMMENDED: <\/a>El Paso leaders weigh funding options as I-10 deck plaza deadline nears<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSo this is an opportunity to really go in and look for the funding that is necessary to push hard on trying to get as much of the private money,\u201d Samaniego said.<\/p>\n The proposed project would create a 6 1\/2-acre park over I-10 from Kansas Street to Santa Fe Street, including green space, playgrounds and an outdoor amphitheater.<\/p>\n Emily Schmalz reports on El Paso County signing a nonbinding MOU to stay involved in the I-10 deck plaza project<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation estimates the project could cost around $207 million.<\/p>\n Supporters said it could help reconnect neighborhoods and bring new economic activity to the area.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to create revenue and I think this is a great opportunity. It\u2019s going to be beautiful is going to connect to the neighborhoods that were divided at one time by having that trench right down I-10,\u201d Samaniego said.<\/p>\n