EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
The commissioners approved moving forward with a request for proposal process for management of the county-owned venue. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs 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,\u201d Samaniego said.<\/p>\n
Samaniego said the county acted transparently and is legally allowed to hold those discussions without an RFP.<\/p>\n
Emily Schmalz reports on El Paso County commissioners approve bidding process for Coliseum management (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: Rumors of UTEP takeover prompt El Paso Sports Commission director to seek answers<\/a><\/p>\n He said commissioners ultimately agreed to pursue an open bidding process.<\/p>\n \u201cSo 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,\u201d Samaniego said.<\/p>\n The El Paso Sports Commission has managed the Coliseum since 2003, and its contract is set to expire in September 2027. <\/p>\n Last week, the commission\u2019s director of communications, Tony Rodriguez, said the Sports Commission plans to submit a bid to keep management of the Coliseum.<\/p>\n Other potential bidders are also expressing interest. <\/p>\n Attorney Brian Kennedy, and former CEO of the El Paso Sports Commission, said an international management consultant he represents plans to submit a proposal.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a non-for-profit, there’s some restraints, and as a for-profit company, we can do some things they can’t,\u201d Kennedy said.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why my company, an IMC that I’m representing, is going to bid on it.<\/p>\n