Construction to reinforce two damaged buildings within the proposed Downtown arena's footprint started Tuesday morning.
Scaffolding and construction crews were seen laying scaffolding along damaged portions of the Flor de Luna art gallery building at 300 W. Overland Ave.
The Chinese laundry building at 212 W. Overland Ave. is slated to also receive work to stabilize and reinforce damaged areas.
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More than two months passed after City Council approved to proceed with a plan to address safety concerns with two dilapidated buildings that had holes punched in them by heavy machinery.
The project is estimated to cost $28,929.27, and would be funded by the city’s general fund. City staff are expected to coordinate all the work with the Texas Historical Commission.
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On Thursday, a steering committee for the Multipurpose Performing Arts and Entertainment Center, also known as the Downtown arena, will hold a public engagement meeting on the multi-phase study of the proposed arena.
"The study includes a robust public engagement process to provide the community with multiple opportunities for input on the voter-approved signature bond project’s programming, vision, and cultural character," a city's news release read.
The meeting is hybrid, and anyone can attend in person or online 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 23.
Go to the Center for Center Engagement, 17th floor (Room C) at the Blue Flame Building, 304 Texas Ave.
Free parking will be provided at the City Hall parking lot at Campbell St. and Mills Ave.
Go to: https://elpasotexas.webex.com/elpasotexas/j.php?MTID=mba6cbb3e325ef8387afa45d0a24949b8
Dial: 1-844-992-4726 (Toll Free)
Final results are expected to be presented to City Council in early 2023, a city news release said. The city began the multi-phase study of the proposed Downtown arena in May.
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Anthony Jackson may be reached at ADJackson@elpasotimes.com and @TonyAnjackson on Twitter.