A FIRST FOR FIVE POINTS
This month the Five Points Development Association is honored to have as its program, City Manager, Dionne Mack. This will be Ms. Mack’s first visit with us. As the first El Paso City Manager appointed from within the El Paso City Government, Ms. Mack comes to the position having previously served as an El Paso Deputy City Manager responsible for public safety and support services. She came to El Paso, after having served as the Executive Director of the Brooklyn Public Library system, as Director of the El Paso Public Library and was then promoted to her Deputy City Manager position.
In preparation for her visit to us, City Manager Mack asked for a list of topics that we would like to hear about. We told her that we were interested in her overview of the city and her views of what she felt should be of interest to us as El Paso citizens. We did provide the following list of suggested subjects: In no particular order, City in General–deck park, budget and property tax implications, future of Bond Oversight Committee or its replacement, impact of changes in federal funding and grant policies; Five Points—Piedras Street “road diet” and rebuild, another Five Points Master Plan, plans for the police headquarters property, “entertainment zones”. This is your chance to hear about these issues and raise any others that interest you. Let’s have a good turnout to welcome the “new” City Manager on her first visit to Five Points.
PIEDRAS STREET ASSAULT — UPDATE
Our June meeting was well attended and productive, not only with members but concerned residents and representatives from Manhattan Heights and the Eastside Central Coalition. The overwhelming consensus was that we oppose the permanent narrowing of Piedras Street, we support the repair and replacement of sewer and water supply lines in the area and we oppose the proposed 10 month total closure to accomplish the work. Petitions in support of these three positions were signed at the meeting and are circulating now. Please contact Tony Labrado, our Secretary/Treasurer if you can help.
As a response to those who have espoused the need for a “walkable” area and to show what the neighborhood wants for the current police headquarters property when it is vacated, Geoffrey Wright of Wright and Dalbin Architects presented conceptual drawings and plans for retail spaces, apartments, parking and public space in a form that evokes the style of Five Points before the C4 building of Walgreens and O’Reilly’s in which parking is the dominant feature. These are exciting concepts and we appreciate Geoffrey’s and his firm’s work.
I have met with District 2 Representative Dr. Josh Acevedo. We had a productive discussion, agreeing on two of our three points regarding Piedras Street and agreeing to work together on some remaining areas of concern. I have thus far been unable to schedule a meeting with District 8 Representative Chris Canales to discuss this issue. I have also begun discussion with the City Manager’s office to set up a meeting with her to discuss our views on the whole Piedras situation. I will keep everyone updated on the status of these proposed meetings.
Fred Evans, president
