Downtown El Paso has taken many leaps forward in its nearly 150-year history. From adobe-built frontiers to Trost-designed hotels and towers, El Paso has always reshaped itself in ways that pay homage to the roots of this desert city.  

Our streetcars, a modern take on a historic El Paso staple, is one example of this reverence in action. As we take our turn carrying on the torch of progress, the City of El Paso is continuing this perspective with the planning of the voter-approved Multi-Purpose Performing Arts and Entertainment Center (MPC).  

The City is conducting a feasibility study to determine design options for the MPC. Part of this study is to gather community input to help inform potential design options. On September 15, 2022, the City held a public engagement event, unveiling preliminary findings from the feasibility study conducted by Gensler & Associates. The designs range in size, but all seek to incorporate existing structures into the future MPC footprint. Guiding Design Principles were developed with a citizen-comprised steering committee that will guide the design development of the next phases of the MPC plan.  

Concepts being considered include a hybrid indoor/outdoor venue for concerts and family-friendly performances, the inclusion of local businesses (food, shopping, art spaces, etc.) within the MPC area, and green spaces for community enjoyment just to name a few examples. The addition of the MPC to the downtown landscape can expand the scope of beloved community staples like Chalk the Block and WinterFest, as well as providing the space for new El Paso traditions to blossom. These concepts are representative of the Guiding Design Principles the City is seeking to follow as development of the MPC progresses. We want, first and foremost, for the community to feel engaged—that their voices and desires are heard and being incorporated into MPC planning and development. The MPC belongs to the community, it will exist to create a space that unites people through community events, concerts, performances, and other communal draws.  

The feasibility study being conducted is examining which buildings within the MPC footprint have the ability to be incorporated into the project master plan. The MPC will act much like a bridge, uniting the past and future.  

The choice is not between preserving the old or bulldozing for the new. History is not being erased, rather, it is being highlighted as we progress. That is why your input is so important as plans are being drawn. Taking the survey will ensure that your perspective is contributed to the shaping of the future of Downtown El Paso. 

To take the MPC Public Survey, visit https://www.elev8ep.com/calendar-events-mpc and click on “Public Engagement Survey”. The survey closes October 16, 2022, so cast your choices today!