Petition Calls for Vote on Stadium

2300 signatures were collected on a petition calling for approval of sports stadiums or arenas before they can be built. Petition supporters presented their petition to City Council this afternoon and submitted their documents to the City Clerk. Here is how the petition reads:


"The undersigned support and ask that the El Paso City Council pass the following ordinance: To adopt an ordinance concerning: No sports stadiums, or arenas be built without prior approval of the majority of voters to include the June 26th, 2012 Agenda item #12."


Petitioners had until Thursday to submit their petition but decided to come forward to today's City Council with more than the needed 1500 signatures.  The 2300 signatures will need to be certified; however, word around City Hall is that the City Attorney is not worried about the petition and will say more tomorrow. 

The Ballpark - Readers Take Sides

Have I ever criticized Joe Muench of the El Paso Times? Hmmm? Hmmm? Well, maybe a couple of times - but not about the ballpark. I commend his two columns on the subject: Downtown ballpark should help ease tax load and Our wailing denizens in the black pit of misery.


I commend these two editorials with some trepidation. Not all of my readers agree with me about the ballpark. I've gotten a couple of "personal" emails but most have been respectful. All have made some good arguments. I'm particularly touched by concerns for the future of the people in Chihuahita and the Segundo Barrio not to mention the Tiguas. Economic development aside, there are issues of social justice involved. 


There have been concerns about wasting water, energy and raw materials. Conservation efforts cannot be had through one instance alone. However, one of the biggest energy wasters downtown is the City Hall building and remains so today according to sources who work on the problems. A new LEED-certified building will be an energy-saver. A LEED-certified, rainwater adapted ballpark would be a water and an energy saver.


I also reject the notions that the rich and powerful are doing it to us again. That just isn't the case and I have not been bought out (please call me, Woody and Paul), drunk the juice nor have I sold my soul. One of the reasons that convinced me that El Paso is ready for such a venture is the fact that residential opportunities are increasing downtown. Read New Downtown housing almost full. 


However, one of my readers did challenge whether a ballpark would benefit economic development. In part she wrote:

[Here is what the research shows]: 

• Cities were talked into these deals in the 90's, and by 2000 these places were all in terrible trouble. (So, we are way behind the curve here!)

• There is No, I repeat, No economic impact from these efforts.

• There is a minimal quality of life benefit . . . I suppose if you're a baseball fan.

• They produce low paying jobs, which are seasonal.

• It is proven that they NEVER pay for themselves and never break even!!  The taxpayer must subsidize them FOREVER!

• There will be somewhere like 80 "baseball nights."  We need 365 nights plus daytime and solid weekend activity.  (Paul Foster and Woody should put their $20 million into rehabing spaces and programming!) 

• Every successful downtown revitalization MUST HAVE residential components. The noise level at an outdoor stadium does not induce a good night's sleep, if you live close by.

• The stadium will hold 9000 folks.  We have a maximum of 4300 parking spaces.  (No one is talking about the cost of building additional parking.) If the museums, the Plaza Theatre and the Civic Center are having competing events, where does everyone park?

• Relocating 650 employees and ultimately building a new City Hall will cost between $100 and $150 million.  I admit that the present City Hall has to be one of the ugliest buildings on the planet.  However, there have been millions of $ of improvements such as all new elevators, new HVAC, new windows, etc., etc.  The building is indeed ugly, but it is in good shape and is quite serviceable.

• ASARCO would be a perfect location for the baseball deal, but it won't be ready until 2014 or 2015.  Too bad.  If things in Mexico ever became palatable again, perhaps we could have a bridge there and a true International Ball Park.

• Last, but not least, this is simply a Very Baaaad Business deal!!

And, the worst part is that the Mayor and City Council KNOW THIS!!!!

The City has already begun its information campaign and I have already received these links from a couple of the representatives. Go to http://home.elpasotexas.gov/downtown-ballpark.php. Click on and read through each attachment. 


El Paso Inc. has a poll and interaction for discussion.


You can also leave your comments below. 

CDEC to Re-Landscape City Hall

Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition to launch Healthy Families Live Outside the Box education initiative with wildscape project at El Paso City Hall

Volunteers needed Friday and Saturday May 11 and 12

The Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition (CDEC) is in need of dozens of volunteers to help with a new native plant wildscape at El Paso City Hall. (Map) CDEC Director Dr. Gertrud Konings has been working with a small committee and city officials in planning the wildscape since late 2011. The project is part of a City of El Paso’s Think Tank project called "Healthy Families Live Outside the Box" presented to the City Manager by El Paso Zoo Education Curator Rick LoBello in March of 2011. 

This educational initiative is designed to get people outside while encouraging them to help restore wildlife habitat loss by development.  The idea is to get people outside planting backyard desert landscapes in hopes that in doing so they will connect with our desert by learning about plants that use little water and provide habitat for wildlife.  People who invest in a few desert plants will help (1) to provide habitat for wildlife like birds and butterflies that have displaced by development, (2) experience lower water bills and (3) hopefully become more active outdoors by discovering natural areas like Franklin Mountains State Park and Rio Bosque.

The first step in launching this important community project is putting in a demonstration habitat on the front steps of El Paso City Hall.  What a great idea thanks to the input from one of our education partners.  He said to me that if you want the community to get on board with this effort you need to start in the heart of the city where our elected representatives work.  I hope you will agree that this effort is an important step in helping our community become more aware of our natural environment.  We need your help in volunteering on Friday and Saturday morning, May 11 and 12.   You can learn more online at www.chihuahuandesert.org. 

Volunteers are needed for two hour shifts on Friday, May 11 and Saturday, May 12 to help replace non-native plants in the current landscape with native plants of the Chihuahuan Desert. Details for the two day project are below.

Friday and Saturday, May 11-12, 2012
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Volunteers will remove shrubs and weeds and replant some plants in a different area. Soil and rocks will be moved to a cactus garden.

Volunteers need to bring shovels or a pickax, knippers, gloves, plastic bags, buckets and have a hat and water.  Volunteers who can provide a pickup truck are also needed to go to the plant recycling location on Doniphan Drive and pick up plants at a local nursery.

Once the landscape has been completed, plant ID graphics will be added and a new webpage will be launched with information on how residents can landscape their front and back yards with drought-tolerant native plants. For more information and to sign up to volunteer, contact Rick LoBello at lobellorl@elpasotexas.gov or by phone at 915-217-4233.