My dad forwarded me an e-mail with a video that shows San Francisco during 1905. I want to share it with you today because I believe you will be as fascinated with it as I was. A few things to look for:
I hope you enjoy it! Also, I have attached a modern day look at the same street shot in 2005.
My name is David and I am living El Paso.
Quality of life bond proposals can usher in some great projects and with a lack of private investment here, sometimes the city (as in all of us citizens) has to take that burden on. I don’t think we should spend money on an IMAX or foot the full bill for an arena though.
Any arena built should be a joint task between the city/UTEP/school districts. An IMAX should be built by Cinemark.
New parks are great…a la…a westside sportspark?? A city aquarium could be intriguing and that trolley link between downtown and the Zoo is a cool idea. However, for El Paso to get the biggest bang for their buck…I think they should do something truly innovative.
What kind of projects would you like to see for the city gain your “yes” vote for the proposed bond election?
My name is David and I am living El Paso.
UPDATE: The El Paso City Council ok’ed a 3 year extension for the Farah Project. Instead of 2013, the developers have until 2016 to build the center. I find it intriguing that the Developer asked for a 5 year extension, was offered 3 years, and accepted it readily. Since the developer accepted the 3 year extension so easily I would have asked them to go back and figure out what they really needed because it seems like they were just trying get whatever extension the city would give them. At least the building will begin being demolished this Summer.
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Article in the EP Times today that talks about the possibility of the Farah Development….a.k.a a shopping center….could be delayed until 2018.
Are you kidding me?
This is a shopping center, not a spaceport, not a giant medical center….a shopping center. I am all for the Farah Developement (The Fountains) but I want it now, not in eight years. City Council is supposed to talk about what action they want to take on the issue in their meeting this morning.
Do they think it is going to take eight years to get retailers to sign on and feel “comfortable” entering the El Paso retail scene? It’s not my money nor my land so I have no say but it really is just frustrating to see this project stall and stall and stall.
My name is David and I am living El Paso.
The following pictures are of El Paso’s downtown at night time. I am curious to know your thoughts of downtown and what you would like to see changed.
I really love the old architecture that populates many of the buildings downtown. When I look at the pictures above, I see a downtown that will soon be vibrant and a major draw for visitors and citizens alike in the region. I’m curious to see how they will redesign the plaza and if they will close any of the surrounding streets. How about we bring the live alligators back downtown? Could be a lot like the bear pit at Baylor University. I would also like to see the new space formatted for music festivals since it is the center in downtown.
My name is David and I am living El Paso.
I got a chance to visit the Karam Brothers downtown loft development on Florence St. They are really starting to look good!
My name is David and I am living El Paso.
Is it just me or are these two towns a lot a like? Don Juan de Onate traversed both areas…maybe he is the link? When driving the streets in Albuquerque one can almost imagine being in El Paso (minus the trees of course) Central Ave. which runs in front of the UNM is sorta like Mesa St. but more walkable. I like how the businesses don’t have parking lots in front of their establishments. Instead, you either park on the side or in the back.
As far as downtowns go, El Paso’s has more potential in my mind. Albuquerque’s is nice but it is too spread out (not enough density in my opinion) Both towns have a tramway and both towns also have highway construction going on.
Albuquerque definitely has better retail but as some have mentioned, that probably has to do with a high per capita income and being the largest metro area in state. MGR, as you know, my mission is to bring REI to El Paso and then a whole foods/trader joes…oh yeah and a Borders Bookstore too. I would be set with those three stores!
I think having two interstates intersect in that town definitely helps relieve traffic congestion….don’t get me started on El Paso congestion (getting worse by the minute) I now almost always take Loop 375 instead of I-10. Those connector ramps at 375/I-10 can’t get here soon enough.
I have heard from many of you on your thoughts of Albuquerque but I would like to hear more. What would you like to see El Paso adopt from Albuquerque and vice a versa?
My name is David and I am living El Paso.
I hope a lot of you read the article I posted yesterday. While the focus was on San Antonio, there were many aspects than can be true for any city in America today, including El Paso.
We need a more successful, vibrant, livable downtown if El Paso is to ever emerge from its current state of staleness. The great news is that this is happening! Our downtown museums are improving, new office space created, great restaurants opening up, more hotel rooms coming online, and most important, downtown housing.
While these are all baby steps, they are steps in the right direction. We need to create reasons for people from the NE and far East sides to come spend time downtown. El Paso needs to be the regional hub for a 500 mile radius and it can become that hub if the we grow the right way.
I understand that this city has let a lot of people down over the years but I ask that you don’t give up…not yet. The transformation is just beginning and this eternal optimist will be here to watch it happen.
Has this city dug itself in a hole over the last few decades? The answer is an easy yes….probably 30-40 years behind the times…however, that doesn’t mean we aren’t emerging from it. I guarantee that the city you see today won’t be the city you see in 10-15 years.
I saw the same transformation in San Antonio and even Waco…yes, Waco, TX! For El Paso to reach its potential, it is going to take YOU. El Paso needs YOU to do your part. Take personal responsibility for your town, own it like it’s yours…because it is.
When the city holds community events, go to them and enjoy yourself. If there is call to action and city leaders ask for citizen input, make sure you go. The only way to El Paso will emerge is if this community becomes one and focuses on a single vision…a vision created with the input of everyone.
There is no doubt that the image of this city has been tarnished for a long time and it is going to take a lot of work to fix that.
This city will succeed, it’s just going to take some time and patience. Remember this quote from Mayor Julian Castro of San Antonio. “Downtown is the heart of a city. If your downtown isn’t successful, the rest of the city tends to decay from the middle,”…”As downtown goes, so goes the rest of the city.”
On another note, if anybody wants to go hear some music tomorrow night after Chalk the Block, head on over to the Percolator! The Thrift Store Cowboys from Lubbock will be playing tonight, along with The Lusitania and others.
I got to check out some of the Thrift Store Cowboys music on MySpace and it was pretty good! Click here to listen to them.
Hope to see a lot of people out at Chalk the Block tomorrow!
My name is David and I am living El Paso.
The news has been pretty quiet about Asarco lately, as has any discussion about what the citizens of El Paso would like to see done with the site. Yes, in the end, we might not have final say, but we need to at least let our voices be heard. So consider this “Living El Paso’s” idea for what I would like to see done at that currently contaminated piece of land.
First, I want to see a learning/research center built. Its focus will be on the history of Asarco and its impact on El Paso over the last 100+ years. Also, it will serve as a facility where research can be done on the effects of energy use and ways to improve future energy consumption (in conjunction with UTEP and school districts) This could become a world class institution where people from around the world come to study/learn.
Another floor of the center could serve as a museum that takes visitors through an interactive exhibit that shows Asarco from its birth to its end (managed by El Paso Museum of History?)
At the very top could be an observation floor/deck where people can host receptions/fundraisers/speakers etc..
On top of that, it would be architecturally unique and feature large windows that allow visitors to take in El Paso’s beautiful geography and sky. Kinda like the picture below
So the building would be my phase one. What would you do different? I will share phase 2 with you tomorrow.
If we come together and voice what we want as a community, then maybe they will listen to us. IF we come together, we can be very influential. I really want ideas, so don’t be afraid to share, just type them into the comment box.
My name is David and I am living El Paso.
Got downtown to check out the progress on the 1st ave. lofts. Everything looks good and I can’t wait to see the finished product. I took some pics and put them into video. I hope you enjoy it! Remember, you can visit them at www.theelpasoproject.com
My name is David and I am living El Paso.
Ever wondered what the future for El Paso holds? Ever wonder if the architecture will change so dramatically in 50 years that the Sun City you know now will not be the Sun City your grandchildren know and love? How will a desert town (with many odds against it) rise out of isolation and truly become a model for others look towards. What kind of industry should we be trying to convince to relocate here? Should it be car parts manufacturers, or should we look towards more progressive industries of the future that will define the world?
Maybe we should invest money now so that we can reap the benefits later…or maybe we should be fiscally conservative and not spend and just hope that future generations will take that 1st step forward. Will corruption still plague this town and will Juarez still suffer from on again off again drug violence? Maybe El Paso’s talent will stay here and build their careers instead of leaving?
I guess we will find out in 50 years what El Paso will look like? What do you think the city will look like? Do you believe the time is now to shape our future?
My name is David and I am living El Paso.
If you are interested, here is a video on a planned city in the UAE called Masdar. The city is supposed to rely totally on renewable energy sources.
