World-renowned sustainability architect Carl Elefante famously quipped, “The greenest building is one that is already built.”

The City of El Paso understands how important the preservation of our notable past is to our community. That is why a feasibility study, conducted by Gensler and Associates, is examining how the process of adaptive reuse can be implemented in the development of the Multi-Purpose Performing Arts and Entertainment Center (MPC) in an effort to preserve architectural and cultural history.

Adaptive reuse is the repurposing of buildings that have outlived their original use. The goal of this process is to preserve architectural and cultural history as these structures are reimagined to fit the needs of today’s modern world.

Rather than tearing down buildings, adaptive reuse prolongs the life of a building by strengthening the infrastructure, updating utilities like electricity, water, and gas, and cleaning up years of wear and decay. While not every building can be preserved, those that are deemed able to be adaptively reused can go a long way toward respectfully lifting a community to new levels.

Repurposing older buildings is also a green, eco-friendly alternative to demolition and new build.

A brand-new building, even one with all the modern energy-efficient trimmings, can take anywhere from 10 to 80 years to overcome the environmental impact of its construction. Using adaptive reuse to transform an aged edifice into something that meets the societal and technological needs of today is often the most environmentally sustainable option, with the green impacts starting right away.

While results from the feasibility study are still being collected and analyzed, adaptive reuse of sound, viable buildings for MPC construction is preferable.

Regardless of the study’s results, the future design of the MPC will pay homage to the culture and history of the corner of Downtown El Paso it will call home. Adaptive reuse offers an opportunity to improve the performance of existing structures and bring increased public safety, economic stimulation, and revitalization to the surrounding community in the heart of El Paso.