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)."

Pro's Ranch Market Stores Acquired, Not Expected to Close

Two Pro's Ranch Market stores in El Paso will stay open for the foreseeable future. That's the word from one of the companies which has purchased the grocery store chain in a bankruptcy sale. Mike Hendry, vice president of marketing for Cardenas Northgate Group Ranch of California, states that most employees will be allowed to continue working.

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.

Years of Construction In Store for I-10 in El Paso

The Texas Department of Transportation's (TXDOT) district engineer, Bob Bielek, states that construction to bring major improvements to Interstate 10 in El Paso may begin as soon as 2017. TXDOT expects to complete the Border Highway West project around that time, which would give the state agency an alternate route when construction on I-10 is at full steam.

Shuttered Fuddrucker's Locations Already Sold

The three El Paso Fuddrucker's locations that closed in recent months have been sold to three different companies, including one that may reopen as a corporate-owned Fuddrucker's.

The West El Paso location at 5030 N. Desert Blvd. was sold to Luby's Inc., the owner of the Fuddrucker's brand nationwide. The company has stated the location may reopen again as a Fuddrucker's.

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.

50,000 Homes in 20 Years for East El Paso

The County of El Paso is considering updates to its subdivision code due to expected growth outside of the city limits. As many as 50,000 homes could be built within the next 20 years around the current El Paso city boundaries. Commissioners will consider allowing developers to shrink the size of individual lots in exchange for including more green space in subdivisions.