Unique Coffee Shop Getting 'Stacked' in Downtown El Paso

Two shipping containers will be stacked one on top of the other on Wednesday in Downtown El Paso to help create a new coffee shop. The Coffee Box will offer a new eatery option in Downtown when it opens later this year.

City Looking for Someone to Develop Convention Hotel for Downtown

The City of El Paso is seeking proposals for a Downtown convention hotel. Will developers be interested? According to the request for proposals, projects that require less City incentives will be scored more highly.

Sudden Funding for Downtown Streetcar Project?

Ted Houghton, the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) chairman, told the El Paso Times today that he expects funding for the Downtown streetcar project to be approved this week. This comes more than a year after the City of El Paso completed its streetcar study the State said would be required to acquire funding.

Savoy Apartment Construction to Begin in May

A project to bring 27 loft-style apartments to Downtown El Paso could begin its construction phase in May, according to a story on KFOX. The Savoy Apartments will transform a mostly vacant building into housing units at the corner of Stanton Street and Overland Avenue.

Historic Bassett Tower In Downtown EP Sold to Development Group

An architectural treasure in Downtown El Paso has been sold to a development group lead by local businessman Lane Gaddy.

There are no immediate plans for the 15-story, Trost-designed structure, but Gaddy has mentioned possibly converting the former office building into a hotel or apartment tower.

City Council: Incentives Available for Downtown Convention Hotel

City Council discussed possible incentives for a new convention hotel in Downtown El Paso at this week's meeting. City representatives and the mayor directed staff to develop a request for proposals for such a project.

City reps also agreed to decline any requests for incentives for a hotel project this year unless it is for a full-service hotel with convention-sized meeting rooms.

See Newest Artspace Renderings

The team behind the Artspace project in Downtown El Paso hopes the artist lofts will receive funding later this year that will help make the project a reality. An article at the Art Avenue website offers a glimpse at the newest proposed design for the building.

Best and Worst Downtown Buildings Ranked

In a new feature, the Newspaper Tree website is ranking a total of 24 buildings in Downtown El Paso. Twelve each of the worst and best buildings will be revealed each week at the site. The criteria for the rankings, according to the website, were: "1. Historic, iconic or locational significance, 2. State of disrepair, 3. Visibility (i.e. visible from I-10), 4. Best Use (i.e. occupied)."

Tucson Tourists Travel to El Paso for Architectural Tour

A group of more than 50 tourists hailing from the Tucson area traveled to El Paso recently via train to tour the city's architectural history. The group, organized by the Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation, took a look at historic sites, including the Plaza Theater, Bassett Tower, and the Martin Building.

More Funding Opportunities for Artspace

One of Downtown El Paso's biggest residential projects once again received City support for federal tax credits. Artspace Lofts will bring around 50 affordable housing units to be leased to local artists which will be used as live/work spaces.

TXDOT Brings Back Lighted Arches on I-10 Near Downtown

As many El Paso residents have noticed, the long-dormant lighted arches along Interstate 10 near Downtown have finally been revived. The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) recently turned on the lights to help beautify the section of Interstate 10 between the eastbound Franklin on-ramp and the Dallas/Cotton exit.

Magoffin Pocket Park Makes Progress

One of the Downtown area’s first new parks in years is finally making notable progress. A gazebo is now being added to the Magoffin Pocket Park at 1030 Myrtle Avenue. 

The project is using funds from the 2012 Quality of Life bonds approved by voters. See more photos of the construction site at the City of El Paso Engineering and Construction Management Department Facebook page.

Café Italia Wins Interior Design Award

A Downtown El Paso restaurant was awarded the 2013 Texas Downtown Association’s Design award for Best Commercial Interior. Cafe Italia's owner, Jose Fong, gave DWNTWN El Paso a Q&A.

Façade Improvement Update

An old commercial building in the historic Union Plaza area of Downtown El Paso has received a facelift thanks to help from the Façade Improvement Program administered by the Downtown Management District. 

Bike Share Continues Despite TxDOT Moves

The Texas Department of Transportation’s El Paso district engineer, Robert Bielek, considers the tentative Bike Share program a “boutique” program unworthy of federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds. 

County Approves Incentives for Downtown Hotel

County of El Paso Commissioners approved an incentives package for Summit 11 Investments this week, the group that purchased and plans to renovate the former Artisan Hotel building Downtown. 

Bike Share Program Scaled Down, Still Alive

City officials decided to move forward with a smaller bike share program earlier this month after the Texas Dept. of Transportation held back $1.6 million in federal funds.

Triple-A Mascot May be Revealed Today

The wait to find out what El Paso’s Triple-A mascot will be is nearly over. Officials with the team will hold an event at the Plaza Theater on Tuesday, though they won’t disclose the nature of the event which will begin at 4:30 p.m.

New Tax Credit Could Help Downtown Redevelopment

A new Texas law went into affect in June that may give developers a tax credit equal to 25% of the cost to renovate historic buildings.

Insights Museum Could Get a New Home

El Paso's only children's museum closed earlier this year when its former building was demolished to make way for the Downtown baseball stadium. Now, El Paso Independent School officials are poised to allow the museum to open up in the empty Alamo Elementary School building.