The proposed Downtown I-10 Deck Plaza project is getting another funding boost.
The Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation is set to announce a "game-changing gift" for the project during a ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 20, as announced in a news release Friday, Oct. 16,
The latest funding announcement comes only days after the Downtown Deck Plaza Foundation received a $20 million gift from the Fred Loya family and announced that the new park would be named the Fred Loya Family Deck Plaza in honor of the longtime El Paso philanthropist and business owner.
Beyond the recent donation from the Loya family, the Deck Plaza project has amassed a number of other pledges of financial support, including $10 million from the Texas Legislature with a $584,000 city match,
$25 million from the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization, $3.15 million in federal Community Project Funding and $1 million from El Paso County.
Additionally, the El Paso City Council approved contributing just over $560,000 toward a $10.6 million advanced funding agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to design the Deck Plaza tunnel and other structural supports.
It is unclear whether the recent donation from the Loya family and the pending donation from the Hunt Foundation are included in the $35 million in private philanthropy previously announced for the project.
An economic impact study conducted by HR&A Advisors, an economic development advisory firm, found that the Deck Plaza will generate $1 billion in total economic output over the next 30 years.
But the project still faces hurdles, including a tight deadline to submit design plans for the Texas Department of Transportation's I-10 Revitalization project and public concern about using taxpayer dollars to fund it.
The Deck Plaza, if ultimately approved, is set to stretch across 6.5 acres atop I-10 between Santa Fe and Kansas streets in Downtown El Paso. Among the amenities slated to be housed atop the Deck Plaza are a performance stage and pavilion for cultural events, concerts, and festivals; a metrosport field house for activities like volleyball, basketball, and pickleball; a dog park and dog splash park; a children’s playground, walking and biking paths, greenspace and public art.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Deck Plaza lands new major gift as funding builds
