Season of the Selfless in Downtown

Mayor John Cook It is amazing to see and feel the energy of Downtown change with each season we go through. By far, the holiday season brings with it one of the most distinctive feels to it. The city is gearing up for the holidays at this time, likely with thoughts of gifts and family get-togethers at the forefront of our individual focuses.

But there is one element of this season that may surpass all others in importance – helping fellow brothers and sisters. This ideal is at the root of what we seek to accomplish every fall with the Annual Thanksgiving Lunch. My wife, Tram and I have made helping those less fortunate a focal point for us during my tenure as Mayor. In addition to Thanksgiving Day, we have instituted monthly Feed the Homeless Dinners to help shelters around the City. What we have been privileged to see during this effort is the community come together to help their fellow El Pasoans. Almost $24,000 has been donated by the El Paso business community to assist in feeding thousands upon thousands of El Paso’s most deserving and in need. All of these monthly efforts culminate annually with the larger scale Thanksgiving Lunch. Hundreds of volunteers have come Downtown to the Convention Center each year to help in serving a complete holiday meal to a person who might otherwise have gone without. And not only do we provide them the meal, but dignitaries and elected officials throughout the community become real “public servants” and wait on our constituents.

It is this generosity and selflessness that is part of the special energy and ambiance you find Downtown during the holiday season. Let us continue to add to that energy by keeping our fellow El Pasoans in mind during this very special time of the year and thereafter. Remember the dual meaning of this special holiday …. Thanks and Giving!

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Downtown Through Our Eyes

The El Paso project Downtown El Paso is more than just a place to pay tickets or go for jury duty, and everyone; El Paso native or not, should experience it, and here is an even crazier idea…live it!

Obviously, office space has a presence in Downtown, with everything from government offices to real estate offices. Companies like Western Refining, Mills Plaza Properties and the new Federal Courthouse are all great examples office space continuing to thrive in Downtown.

Retail space and particularly the food industry, also have a significant presence in Downtown. There are a number of great restaurants in Downtown, from fast food to fine dining. Whatever your occasion or mood, you can find someplace to cure your palate’s cravings. Looking for a place to eat? Try Rulis’, Percolator, or Good Coffee. Not a big lunch person? Stop by XTREME Fitness on Texas Street for a quick workout.

There is also great area entertainment. Whatever your pleasure, you’re sure to find it in the Union Plaza District or Stanton Street District, which boast a number of bars, clubs and eateries. There is also entertainment for the family, including the Plaza Theater, the Public Library or one of the many museums Downtown, giving you something to try any day of the week. However; we do believe we are still lacking and can improve on the retail space focusing on fine shopping.

Upscale residential space is the one thing that Downtown El Paso needs to become a successful and vibrant Downtown. This is where we come in. Look to any major city, and you will see that without affluent trend setting citizens living in their Downtown, it isn’t a “Downtown.” Foot traffic, at all hours, creates a safer and more user-friendly Downtown, which can only come by incorporating upscale residential space. This will be a process and will take some time, but that is all it is…a matter of time.

Join the evolution: Downtown El Paso is evolving right before your very eyes. Don’t blink - or you might just miss it.

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It Takes A Village
by Art Jaime, Boys & Girls Club of El Paso Chief Professional Officer

I was recently appointed Chief Professional Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of El Paso, an event that in many ways has brought me full circle. My office is on Florence Street, only blocks away from the clinic where I was born and a few streets away from the first house I lived in. As a kid, I went to the “Boys’ Club” (as it was known back then), on Delta Street across from my grandmother’s house. My world then included brothers, cousins, friends, schoolmates, (their cousins, friends and schoolmates) and the parents, neighbors, teachers and other adults who cared for and helped to raise us. The “parental eye” was forever upon us.

Economically, we were under the national poverty guidelines, but that isn’t what I remember most. My memories are recreated now every afternoon, as the kids start trickling into the Club, a few here, a group there – kids being kids - laughing, running, jumping on each other, shouting “Hello Mister, ¿Como Esta?”

While youth today live in a world full of challenges unique to this generation, much has also not changed. The literature on youth development consistently points to the one factor that helps youth succeed in life... a caring and supportive adult. A few years ago, it was very common to hear that, “…it takes a village to raise a child.” I like to say I grew up in “mijo culture.” I remember adults and even older cousins calling us “mijo” (my son) or “mija” (my daughter). It was part of the caring environment they created where we as kids were safe and were allowed to dream and learn. It is what we are recreating at Boys & Girls Clubs of El Paso, but it really does take that village. Join us, now it’s our turn.

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The Heart and Soul of Our City
by Joyce Wilson, City Manager

Currently in Downtown, there are four major initiatives underway that showcase the public and private partnership driving revitalization. The first is the renovation of the former International Hotel; a planned Doubletree Hotel, scheduled to open in the spring of 2009. The hotel will have 200 rooms and bring new jobs to the city.

The plaza area of the Judson F. Williams Convention Center is being completely renovated. A new restroom facility, drainage system, pavers, and surface will be installed, and the usable plaza square footage will be increased. An artistic shade structure that includes a lighting and misting system will be installed and this will help support year-round exhibits and outdoor events. It is being financed through Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue bonds.

The new nine-story Federal Courthouse is taking shape in the southeastern part of Downtown. The publicly-funded $74 million project is expected to be completed in 2009. The building’s modern design has already won several national awards and contains a gateway view of the Franklin Mountains.

The Mills Plaza project includes renovation of the historic Mills Building, which is well underway. The former Jack-In-The-Box parking garage has already been demolished, making way for a connecting parking garage with ground floor retail space. The entire Mills Plaza project will include renovation of the Plaza Hotel and a pedestrian promenade. Businesses, restaurants and retail will be brought into Downtown as part of this project, and the City is planning improvements to the park at San Jacinto Plaza.

There are two neighborhood housing projects in the works; as the redevelopment effort continues to grow, it is exciting to see the public and private sectors successfully transforming one of the most historic areas in our city.

Downtown is everyone’s neighborhood. It is the heart of soul of our City. We all have a stake in our Downtown’s health and vibrancy. I encourage you to visit Downtown El Paso; you will be inspired by the new sites and renewed hope and progress.

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