Downtown Arena: What Exactly Happened Yesterday

Downtown Arena: What Exactly Happened Yesterday?

We have not seen the filings, but last week Judge Patrick Garcia was going to rule on an injunction stopping demolition in Duranguito.

From what we understand, the City of El Paso, when choosing a site for the arena, did not have the Texas Antiquities board review their proposed site. We are guessing that we are waiting for a ruling from them. Also, several places are the listed for potential national historical recognition.

Judge Garcia continued the hearing until Sept. 11.

 

At that hearing, it appeared Judge Garcia was ready to make his decision, but there appeared to be some stalling from the attorney for the City.

The City’s attorney began asking questions of the Judge. The Judge had announced he was ready to grant the injunction, however, close to 5pm, the attorneys for the City had somehow circumvented Judge Garcia to “stay” his decision.

Witnesses say another person came in and told the attorney for the City, “Osborne,” that “we got it” and Osborne informed Judge Garcia that they had gotten a stay.

 

Witnesses said Judge Garcia said what had been done by the City’s attorney was “dirty.”

Attorneys, who had been arguing for the injunction, immediately wrote out a motion for an injunction with the Texas Court of Appeals.

The media took photos and video of them standing outside the clerk’s office writing the motion out.

Meanwhile, the City began hauling in equipment to begin demolition of the buildings.

Supporters of Duranquito quickly spread the word and social media inflamed with calls for support.

Hundreds gathered in Duranguito.

Several events occurred including the blocking of the removal of the equipment from the tractor trailers and removal of fences that had been already erected. El Paso Police Department was called out and crowds grew.

Commissioner David Stout and Senator Jose Rodriguez were present at the action including members of Paso del Sur, Gilbert Guillen, Tonita, historians David Romo and Yolanda Leyva, and Professor Max Grossman.

While this was occurring, the lawyers supporting Duranguito announced that the Court of Appeals had granted their motion for injunction.

However, even though the Court of Appeals had issued the stop, the City wanted to leave the equipment in Duranguito, so protestors blocked the leaving of equipment until finally the tractors trailers that brought the equipment, left the neighborhood.

Also earlier Monday, Paso del Sur presented the second set of petitions to the city to put the question of using Duranguito for an arena on the ballot.

What occurred were dirty tricks by the City of El Paso’s attorneys, but was met with legal action and people power by Duranguito supporters.

We will publish more information as it comes in.

Thank your for the Debt Cortney!
Cortney Nilland resigned from City Council

More than anyone, Niland was the hentchwomen of the current cabal of Kingmakers.

Implicated in the open meeting violations that proceeded the Southwest University Park vote, many of the open records that came out of that scandal portrayed Niland as not a very nice person.

Perhaps the greatest black mark on her record is her alleged involvement in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raiding a local domestic violence shelter.

Regarding Niland's change of heart in December 2016, when she voted to take Duranguito off consideration, Niland may have had the Grinch moment then she grew a heart. Ironically, this all took place around Christmas time.

But then she split. Did not attend anymore meetings. And suddenly resigns.

We should also questions whether Niland "set up" other council members to violate the Texas Open Meeting act.

We know evil people have family tragedies too, so we won’t press her too hard.

Niland leaves us with tons of debt and higher property taxes, all to the benefit of her masters. She will not have to worry about it as she's splitting El Paso.

But perhaps, next Christmas Eve, at midnight, Jacob Marley will pay her a visit.

 

El Paso to Model Most Expensive Minor League Arena in the Country

El Paso to Model Most Expensive Minor League Arena in the Country

Experts say the Allentown, Pennsylvania PPL Center costs spiraled out of control, tax scandal, corruption and FBI involvement

This is part 1 in a series looking at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The City of El Paso has used a $180 million dollar estimate for the Downtown arena that they wish to place on top of the Duranguito neighborhood after its demolition.

In their public outreach they have used the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania as an example of success.

However, a closer look is needed.

City of El Paso Estimates for Costs Are Often Wrong

First, whenever the City of El Paso puts out an estimate, you have to use the Arrieta-Candelaria-Wilson Algorithm of Estimated Costs. 

We don’t know the exact formula for this algorithm (they probably don't know it either), but we are sure the fuzzy math lady who so brilliantly, along with Joyce Wilson, in estimating the costs of Southwest University Park, knows the exact formula.

However, it’s safe to say that doubling the cost of the Downtown Arena is close to what the Arreita-Caldelaria-Wilson algorithm is.

So, we’d say about $360 million.

City Using Allentown's PPL Center as a "An Example of a Successful Downtown Location."

Above, City of El Paso used Allentown PPL Center as Successful Example, not knowing the problems, FBI investigation, spiraling out-of-control costs.

 However, we look into the PPL Center and it was not what it seems.

Lesson in Disaster and Out-of-Control Spending: PPL Center, Allentown, Penn

In the planning, for the PPL center, Allentown estimated that it would need 3,500 parking spaces for their 10,000-size arena. After it was built, they found out the actual number was 4,200.[i]

Skeptics of the Allentown PPL Center had said downtown was the wrong area for the PPL Center.

The PPL center ended up being an 8,500 – seat facility as reported by The Mourning Call [ii]. 

Other differences were that the PPL Center was part of a riverfront development. I’d assume the riverfront is much more appealing than our riverfront here in El Paso.[iii]

Scott Kraus and Matt Assad say the PPL Center cost $177 million, but The Morning Call would correct this later. However, they say that the pitch was originally for a hockey arena, which was supposed to cost $80 million, but it “morphed” into the PPL Center at a cost of $177.

In 2011, the PPL Center was sued by a group of suburban communities “unhappy that their resident’s local earned income taxes would have been siphoned off to help finance construction.”[iv]

To be continued…

---

[i] McEvoy, Colin. “Allentown prepares for parking, traffic for hockey arena opening.” The Express-Times, September 5, 2014, updated January 2, 2015.

[ii] Kraus, Scott and Assad, Matt. “Arena opens, symbol of hope for better Allentown.” The Morning Call, September 10, 2014.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] Ibid.

"All Studies in Last 20 Years Choose Union Plaza for Arena": LIE!

 

Surely the City of El Paso is Lying

City of El Paso Lie #2: All Studies in Last 20 Years Choose Union Plaza for Arena 
Research DeBunks City of El Paso's Claims

Paso del Sur Posted This on Facebook. Great research and historical incite on how the City of El Paso Lies:


THE CITY LIES AGAIN!
FALSE: THE CITY'S CLAIM THAT ALL THE STUDIES IN THE LAST 20 YEARS CONCLUDE THAT DURANGUITO IS THE BEST SPOT FOR AN ARENA!

"Don't call me Sherly," says Paso del Sur

It is absolutely not true that 20 years of City-funded studies unanimously concluded that the sports arena must go in Union Plaza/Barrio Duranguito, as City staff and politicos have repeatedly told the press and the public. Of all the falsehoods they've told thus far, this is one of the biggest ones! (See poster below used at the City's "public outreach meetings."). In fact, only 1 of 5 Studies, the Paso del Norte Group Study of 2006, singled out Duranguito/Union Plaza as the supposed "best" location for an arena. One City-funded study recommended that Union Plaza/Duranguito be declared an historic district and be protected from the kind of massive demolition the arena project envisions.
The City has cited four reports as evidence that Duranguito is "the overall best location" for the sports arena (let's start calling it what it actually is). Here are the relevant facts from each of the four studies:
C.H. Johnson Consulting (2001):
After considering several options, the firm concludes that "the best location for a new sports complex and soccer stadium in El Paso is at the [County] Fairgrounds." (p. 69) Another “compelling site,” the 2001 study concluded, was “Cohen Stadium, owned by the City of El Paso.” The study found this to be a good location because of “the required amount of land adjacent to Cohen Stadium for an arena and shared parking” as well as easy access to the Patriot freeway.
To read the 2001 study: https://www.elpasotexas.gov/…/aren…/2001%20mpc%20study.ashx…


City of El Paso and the Paso del Norte Group Foundation, "Downtown 2015 Plan" (2006):
This study analyzes only two potential sites, the Airport and Union Plaza. It recommends building the arena in the Union Plaza (Duranguito) neighborhood. (pp. 58, 112). The PDNG group was a semi-secretive organization led by several highly-influential binational developers, contractors and real estate speculators including Paul Foster, William Sanders, Woody Hunt, Dee Margo and Alejandra de la Vega that later morphed into the Borderplex Alliance. It received about a quarter million dollars from the City of El Paso to create a plan that envisioned the demolition of 127.5 acres of downtown, South El Paso, and Union Plaza with the threat of eminent domain.
(https://www.elpasotexas.gov/…/aren…/2006%20mpc%20study.ashx…)


City of El Paso, Texas Comprehensive Plan (2012):
This study considers four possible arena sites (p. 181). The Union Plaza site is among the options cited but there are reservations because the project "would remove blocks of existing infrastructure and building fabric." There is no specific recommendation for the arena location.
(https://www.elpasotexas.gov/…/aren…/2012%20mpc%20study.ashx…)

Master Planning Report (2015):
This study recommends proceeding with the construction of a "Multi-Purpose Cultural and Performing Arts Center" (note the new nomenclature) but does not cite a specific location within downtown.
In summary, three of the four studies more or less recommend locating the sports arena in downtown; but only one, the 2006 Paso del Norte Group study, specifically recommends placing the arena in the Union Plaza neighborhood. Of course, that study considered only two possible locations, and several of its authors stood to benefit financially from the project--not exactly an objective and impartial analysis.
Note: The majority of the land speculator owners of Barrio Duranguito properties who are eager to sell to the city are members of the PDNG/Borderplex Alliance, including Alejo Restrepo, Dr. Roberto Nassim Assael, Woody Hunt (as well as Hunt's son-in-law, bank executive Peter Spier). The PDNG members who own the majority of the buildings in the "footprint area," began buying their properties at the time PDNG targeted Duranguito for the arena. Woody Hunt and Peter Spier closed the deal on their property three weeks before the City voted unanimously in October 2016 to build the arena in Duranguito.
(https://www.elpasotexas.gov/…/hks%20presentation%20-%20publ…)

The Union Plaza Downtown El Paso Development Archeological Project (1998):
The one study within the previous two decades that the City Manager’s report conveniently ignores is the 1998 City-funded survey "The Union Plaza Downtown El Paso Development Archeological Project." This study recommended that Union Plaza/Barrio Duranguito be designated an historic district and thus protected from mass demolition. It was commissioned by the City of El Paso for the Sun Metro Transit Authority and it was carried out by a team of experts led by John A. Peterson, Stephen Mbutu, and Mark D. Willis. The survey found a great number of historic buildings within the demolition zone. Their findings directly contradict City Attorney Silvia Firth's initial public declarations that there is nothing historic there at all.
To read the 1998 City-funded survey:
http://www.elpasohistory.com/…/uploads/2016/10/079-2000-001…

All of this information definitively contradicts the City’s false assertion that every single study in the last 20 years found that Barrio Duranguito is the best place to build an arena. Perhaps the City Manager and City Attorney were just hoping we never bothered to read those studies.
Of course, the City has failed to carry out any studies that take into consideration other issues beyond financial ones. Most importantly, those related to building an arena in a place that violates the civil and human rights of more than a hundred mostly elderly, lower-income residents who will be displaced by the arena. It has done no medical study of the impact of displacement on the residents' health, for example. Previous studies have consistently shown that forced removal significantly increases mortality rates, especially among the elderly who are forcibly kicked out of their homes. But that's another issue we'll deal with in other posts.
EL PASOANS DESERVE THE TRUTH, NOT MISINFORMATION AND PROPAGANDA!

All-White Texas Historical Commission Listens to White-Dominated Chamber of Commerce

All-White Texas Historical Commission Listens to White-Dominated Chamber of Commerce

El Paso Greater Chamber of Commence Uses Influence to Deny Historical Designation to Union Plaza / Duranguito

Was it really surprising that an all-White historical commission would reject historical designations to area in of El Paso of great historical significance to people of color in El Paso?

The Texas Historical Commission states it: 

“…works to save the real places that tell the real

stories of Texas. THC staff consults with

citizens and organizations to preserve Texas’

architectural, archaeological and cultural

landmarks. The agency is recognized nationally

for its preservation programs.”

“The THC is composed of 12 citizen members appointed

by the governor to staggered six-year terms. The agency

employs about 175 people who work in various fields,

including archaeology, architecture, history, economic

development, heritage tourism, public administration

and urban planning.”

Source: Website of the Historical Commission.

According to the US Census regarding Texas: 

Hispanic Population is 38.8 percent.

American Indians 1 percent

Asian 4.7

Black, African American 12.5 percent.

So with Asians, Africans Americans, American Indians, and Hispanics, these groups of color make up 57 percent of the population of Texas.

Yet, the twelve-person Texas Historical Commission has no persons of color on it. Now, we are just going by surname and photos posted at http://www.thc.texas.gov/about/commissioners.

Currently, the website only listed 9 members not twelve.

If we analyzed based on surname, none of the commissioners have Hispanic surname or surname that would be Asian (maybe Nau). In looking at the photos listed on the page above, none of the commissioners look Asian, African American, or Hispanic.

John L. Nau, III

Monica Burdette

Earl Broussard

John Crain

Wallace B. Jefferson

Tom Perini

Gilbert E. Paterson

Robert Shepard

Daisy Sloan White

Although this is not the best indicator of the demographics of the commission, it’s a safe bet to say that no or hardly any commissioners are people of color.

I also scoured the bios connected to each commissioner to look for indication of any memberships in organization associated with people of color. Nothing.

So in a state where almost 60 percent of the State’s population is people of color, none or hardly any of the 9 commissioners are persons of color.

That should be of no surprise as most are appointed by the governor to six year terms. In looking at the anti-people of color politics of our current governor Greg Abbott and our former governor Rick Perry, it’s predictable to say that they would not appoint any people of color to this commission.

Regional

It is also interesting to note that at the same website, it lists where these commissioner live. Only one of the nine is from West Texas. None are from the Valley of Texas, another large region of people of color in Texas. None are from San Antonio, another city with a large Hispanic population.

Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce

So why would a letter from the El Paso Chamber of Commerce be so influential. It’s a good bet that the El Paso Chamber of Commerce has not corresponded or corresponded very little with the State Historical Commission in decades.

Looking more local

The Great of Chamber of Commerce is a little more diverse.

Thirty seven of the 109 Governing Board Members has Hispanic surnames and at least one is known to us to be African American. That means for a city that is 81.3 percent Hispanic and 86.7% people of color, the Governing Board of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce only 33 percent of the board is Hispanic.

The Chamber of Commerce Executive Board has a 19 members. Eight members have Hispanic surnames. So in a city with 81.3 percent Hispanics, less than a third of the Chamber Executive Board is Hispanic.

Source: http://www.elpaso.org/about-us/board-of-directors/

http://www.elpaso.org/about-us/board-of-directors/ 

You have to remember, there is a reason why Hispanic chambers of commerce were founded in most cities. It was because of exclusion from the regular chamber of commerce.

Is it surprising?

We must ask ourselves, is it surprising that a State Historical Commission with no people of color and a Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce that only a third of their Governing Board being Hispanic would conspire to reject historical status for places in the Union Plaza district of significance to people of color.

The history of Mexican Americans has been under attack for generations. First our history was not taught at all, and more recently, the Texas Board of Education recommended a racist Mexican American history text book. 

This movement by the Chamber is just another continued action against the culture of people of color, not even the first.

 

Even taking out the action of the El Paso County Judge, is it real surprising?