The construction reshaping El Paso

By | June 22, 2017

Completion dates, locations, investment and more

By Aaron Montes

Cranes have sprung up across El Paso. They are building new highways and entertainment centers, a towering expressway and streetcar line.

Over the past few years, El Pasoans have heard about plans for future projects – teased by artist renderings. Now, steel and concrete is rising out of the ground as projects get underway.

Downtown revitalization and the construction of new shopping centers and office space across the city have pushed the value of commercial construction to historic levels, according to the latest Borderplex Economic Outlook, published by the University of Texas at El Paso.

It’s hard to keep up with it all. When can you expect to go for a ride in a streetcar? What is the price tag on the new Westside pool? Where is Topgolf located? El Paso Inc. is compiling a list.

If you notice any projects that should be added or know of a project that has broken ground, let us know. Please include the location, name, size, owner/developer, price tag, planned completion date and a brief description.

Marriott Urban Courtyard

Plans for the nine-story hotel on a busy corner in Downtown El Paso include 151 rooms, a 107-space parking garage, swimming pool, bistro and bar. El Paso lawyer and hotelier Jim Scherr purchased the property at auction in March 2015 and demolished a vacant building that once housed the Texas Workforce Commission. City Council approved an incentives package for the project that includes a 100-percent rebate of property tax, up to $844,089

Location: The corner of Santa Fe and Missouri. Across the street from the Downtown ballpark

Owner: Jim Scherr

Price tag: $18 million

Size: 151 rooms

Planned completion date: End of October

Topgolf at Montecillo

Topgolf describes it as a “premier golf entertainment complex.” The three-story facility will include an interactive driving range with 102 climate-controlled hitting bays, 11 outfield targets, 270 televisions, 50-table restaurant, 3,000-square-foot event space, 2,500-square-foot kitchen and 3,000-square-foot roof terrace. City Council approved a $5.2 million tax incentives package.

Location: Visible from I-10 in the Montecillo urban village. West of Executive Center Boulevard.

Owner/developer: Topgolf is the owner. EPT Land Communities is the developer behind Montecillo.

Price tag: Topgolf will invest $15.7 million.

Planned completion date: End of the year or early next year.

West Towne Marketplace

Developer Adam Frank said Cabela’s will be the first store to open in the shopping center. The retailer of outdoor recreation merchandise is set to open in September. A Walmart Supercenter and movie theater are scheduled to open in early 2018. Other stores include T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, PetSmart and Rack Room Shoes.

Location: Intersection of Artcraft and I-10

Developer: River Oaks Properties

Price tag: More than $100 million

Size: 63 acres.

Planned completion date: Stores will begin opening in September.

Westside indoor pool

The facility will include an Olympic-size swimming pool with eight long-lanes and 24 short-lanes, scoreboards, seating for 780 spectators, moveable bleachers and Wi-Fi. The project was funded by the 2012 quality of life bonds and is designed to meet USA Swimming standards.

Location: 650 Wallenberg

Owner/developer: The owner is the City of El Paso. The developer is Arrow Building Corp.

Price tag: $15.5 million

Size: 35,980 square feet

Planned completion date: 2018

Go 10

The Go 10 project is expanding I-10 on El Paso’s Westside, adding new lanes. It also includes the reconstruction of ramps and overpasses and other infrastructure improvements. A Texas Department of Transportation spokesperson said the project is ahead of schedule and may finish by February 2019.

Location: Between Executive Center and North Mesa

Owner/developer: The owner is TxDOT. The developer is Sundt Construction

Price tag: $159 million

Size: 5.75 miles

Planned completion date: Summer 2019. Could finish as early as February 2019.

Border West Expressway

The expressway will extend 7.4 miles from Racetrack Drive to U.S. 54, completing Loop 375 and providing an alternate route to I-10 on the Westside. More than 140 concrete columns are being built to hold up the four-lane highway. Some of them tower over the Rio Grande, close the border fence.

Location: Racetrack Drive to U.S. 54

Owner: Texas Department of Transportation

Price tag: $650 million

Size: 7.4 miles

Planned completion date: Fall 2018

Streetcar Maintenance and Storage Facility

El Paso’s vintage streetcars are being refurbished, and when they hit the tracks, they will need a home to spend the night. The $97 million streetcar project includes a $10 million Streetcar Maintenance and Storage Facility. The 4.8-mile streetcar line will loop around Downtown and run up to the University of Texas at El Paso. The whole project is scheduled to finish by the end of 2018.

Location: Santa Fe Street, next to the Sun Metro Downtown Transfer Station

Owner: City of El Paso, Sun Metro

Price tag: $10 million

Planned completion date: Fall 2017

Email El Paso Inc. reporter Aaron Montes at amontes@elpasoinc.com or call (915) 534-4422, ext. 105.

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