COMMUNITY SYMPOSIUM
September 12- 14, 2024
El Paso Museum of Art, downtown El Paso
Presentations | Networking | Refreshments | Music
Free & Open to All
(AIA CES approved)
Click to RSVP today!
Join your community for three days of collaboration between residents, business owners, and families where we all come together to plan the future of El Paso!
FREE & open to all!
Let’s shape the future of El Paso!
Agenda Breakdown Below
Day 1:
Keynote Speaker & Mingle
Day 1: Thursday, Sep. 12th, 2024
Location: El Paso Museum of Art - Auditorium & First Floor Lobby
5:30-6pm: Registration
6:00-6:30pm: Introductory Presentation by Dionne Mack, El Paso’s new City Manager & Comprehensive Plan Overview by Craig Lewis, Arcadis
6:30pm: Keynote Speaker & Q&A with Mitchell Silver - “A Blueprint for Growth: Planning for inclusive and equitable outcomes” (AIA CE Credit Approved)
7:45pm-9pm: Network & Mingle Event After Keynote Speaker - DJ RodrigaRockmore & Bar!
Day 2:
Panels & Group Discussions
Day 2: Friday, Sep. 13th, 2024
Location: El Paso Museum of Art - Multiple Locations
9:30am-10am: Registration & Morning Snacks
10am-11:15am: Panel: “Towards a Healthier El Paso: How Better City Planning Can Improve El Paso’s Built Environment” (AIA CE Credit Approved)
Participation by: Carlos Gallinar, AICP, CNU-a, Principal & Planning Director - Able City; Laura Ponce, Executive Director - Project BRAVO; Janae Reneaud Field, Executive Director - The Frontera Land Alliance; Louie Salazar, Nutrition Initiatives Manager - El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank & Member of City of El Paso Mobility Advisory Committee; Tracy Yellen, CEO - Paso del Norte Health Foundation
11:30am-12:30pm: Breakout Sessions
“Equity: Issues, Opportunities & Remembering Related to Urban Planning in El Paso, Texas” (AIA CE Credit Approved)
Participation by: Miguel Juárez, Ph.D., M.A., MLS - The University of Texas at El Paso
“How Would You Spend $1M for Your Community?”
Participation by: Carlos Menchaca, Former New York City Council Member
12:30pm-1:30pm: Lunch (complementary)
1:45-3pm: Panel: “City Planning to Implementation: Downtown Development & Impact on Business Community”
Participation by: Natalie Littlefield - Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development - The Borderplex Alliance; Fred Lopez, FAICP CTP, CNU-A, Practice Leader - LOI ENGINEERS; Elizabeth O’Hara, Regional Manager Community Relations - Texas Gas Service; Stephanie Otero, Vice President of Operations for the El Paso Community Foundation & Interim CEO for La Nube Museum
3:15-4:15pm: Breakout Sessions
“Community Pathways for Climate Action” (AIA CE Credit Approved)
Participation by: Fernando Liaño Berjano - Senior Climate Program Manager - The City of El Paso Texas
“Past, Present & Future of the Streetcar” Guided Tour & Talk Aboard El Paso’s Streetcar
Lead by: Peter Svarzbein, Community Engagement Manager - Anti-Defamation League & Previous City Council Member at City of El Paso Texas
4:30pm: Closing Remarks
Day 3:
Tours & Discussions
Day 3: Saturday, Sep. 14th, 2024
Location: El Paso Museum of Art - Multiple Locations
9:30am-10am: Registration & Morning Snacks
10am-11:30am: Panel: “Quality of Life & El Paso Updates” in Collaboration with Progress321 at La Nube Museum
Participation by: Natalie Eckberg, Vice President of Development & Stakeholder Relations, La Nube Museum; Melissa N. Ortega, PhD, Texas State Board of Education District 1 Rep
10:30am - 12pm: Panel: “Architectural Education in Collaboration with its Context” at TTU Huckabee College of Architecture, Union Depot Train Station
Participation by: Alexandra Cortez, Architectural Associate - Exigo Architecture; Ersela Kripa, Associate Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement, Director, Huckabee College of Architecture El Paso, Professor & Licensed Architect
12pm-1:00pm: Tour: Texas Tech University - Huckabee College of Architecture El Paso, School Tour at TTU Huckabee College of Architecture, Union Depot Train Station
Participation by: Alexandra Cortez, Architectural Associate - Exigo Architecture; Ersela Kripa, Associate Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement, Director, Huckabee College of Architecture El Paso, Professor & Licensed Architect
1:15pm - 2:15pm: Tour: The new Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), Downtown El Paso
Participation by: Marcella Attolini, M.Arch, Urban Design Manager at The City of El Paso Texas
All sessions are FREE & open to all!
Click to RSVP today!
Keynote Speaker
Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, Hon. ASLA
Meet Mitchell Silver, principal with McAdams, a land planning and design company. He is responsible for providing advisory services in urban planning, parks and public space planning. He is an award-winning planner with more than 39 years of experience and is internationally recognized for his leadership and contributions to contemporary planning issues.
He is a prolific public speaker and specializes in urban planning, placemaking and implementation strategies. Prior to joining McAdams, Mitchell served as the commissioner for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation; Chief Planning Officer in Raleigh, NC and served as president of the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Mitchell is one of the nation’s most celebrated urban thinkers. He was selected to Planetizen’s list of the 100 Most Influential Urbanists in the world. In addition, he has been honored as one of the top 100 City Innovators in the world by UBM Future Cities, and the Urban Times named him one of the top international thought leaders of the built environment.
* Planetizen - pronounced (plan-net-ti-zen)
With a Very Special Introduction by:
El Paso’s New City Manager
Dionne Mack
Dionne Mack was appointed El Paso’s third City Manager on August 19, 2024. Ms. Mack has spent nearly 30 years in public sector service, 14 of those have been spent in El Paso.
Prior to taking the role of City Manager, Ms. Mack served as Deputy City Manager for Quality of Life and Public Safety. She has been a driving force in advancing initiatives that improve the lives of El Paso residents. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding access to parks, enhancing cultural services, and improving community programs.
Meet the Panelists & Presenters
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Marcella Attolini, M.Arch
Urban Design Manager at The City of El Paso Texas
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Fernando Liaño Berjano
Senior Climate Program Manager - The City of El Paso Texas
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Alexandra Cortez
Architectural Associate - Exigo Architecture
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Carlos Gallinar, AICP, CNU-a
Principal & Planning Director - Able City
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Miguel Juárez, Ph.D., M.A., MLS
The University of Texas at El Paso
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Ersela Kripa
Associate Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement; Director, Huckabee College of Architecture El Paso; Professor and Licensed Architect.
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Craig Lewis
Principal, Architecture + Urbanism Services Director, Placemaking Design - Arcadis
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Natalie Littlefield, JD
Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development - The Borderplex Alliance
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Fred Lopez, FAICP CTP, CNU-A
Practice Leader - LOI ENGINEERS
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Carlos Menchaca
Former New York City Council Member
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Elizabeth O'Hara
Regional Manager Community Relations - Texas Gas Service
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Stephanie Otero
Vice President of Operations for the El Paso Community Foundation and Interim CEO for La Nube Museum
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Laura Ponce
Executive Director - Project BRAVO
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Progress 321
Collaboration with P321
Non-profit & Supporting organization of the El Paso Community Foundation
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Janae Reneaud Field
Executive Director - The Frontera Land Alliance
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Louie Salazar
Nutrition Initiatives Manager - El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank & Member of City of El Paso Mobility Advisory Committee
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Peter Svarzbein
Community Engagement Manager - Anti-Defamation League
-
Tracy Yellen
CEO - Paso del Norte Health Foundation
A Community Symposium
Let your voice be heard! Share your vision and connect with citizens, policy makers, stakeholders, professionals and academics.
Learn about the process and importance to create a new comprehensive plan for the City of El Paso.
Provide comments, suggestions, and ask questions via breakout groups, panel discussions, and keynote speakers in the Planning Industry.
Attendees will have the opportunity to be part of different panels and participate in interactive breakout groups. Enjoy giveaways, music, refreshments, vendors, and much more!
Economic development
Mobility & transportation
Equity
And more.
Topics of Discussion
Policy making
Future land use
Housing affordability
Fiscal responsibility
The Comprehensive Plan
What is it & why does it matter?
A comprehensive plan for city planning is a long-term framework that guides the development, growth, and management of a city.
It typically covers a period of 10 to 20 years and addresses various aspects of urban life, including land use, transportation, housing, economic development, environmental sustainability, and community services.
We invite you to further explore our website to learn more about this important task and to get involved!
Email us at:
EnvisionEP@elpasotexas.gov
Have Questions?
Take the survey and add your ideas to the virtual map! Check back to EnvisionEP.com for project updates.