How to Request a School Zone Flasher Signal

The City of El Paso Department of Transportation (EPDoT) is reminding residents about the process for getting school zone flasher signals installed in their neighborhoods. 

The El Paso Department of Transportation works with school principals and their respective school district administrations to develop a plan for school zone flashers. 

Residents or parents who believe a school zone flasher is needed must first file a request with the principal of the school in their neighborhood. The principal will then send concerns to the school district. If approved, school district administrators must send a written request to EPDoT. 

EPDoT engineers will evaluate the request, meet with school district administrators and study the area to see if a school zone flasher signal is warranted. 

Residents may contact the El Paso Department of Transportation for additional information at 621-6750. 

I-10 / Americas Closures

COMPLETE CLOSURES FOR TONIGHT:

7 p.m. to 6 a.m. (the following morning)

     I-10 West between the Joe Battle/Americas Exit Ramp and the I-10 Entrance Ramp

     North to Westbound Clover Ramp

 

8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (the following morning)

     Northbound lanes on Loop 375 between the North Loop Overpass (Americas) and the Pellicano Overpass (Joe Battle)

 

8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (the following morning)- continuing each night through Monday, October 1

     I-10 East between the Americas Exit Ramp and the Americas (Loop 375) Overpass

     Gateway East between the Americas Exit Ramp and the Americas (Loop 375) Overpass

These closures will not take place simultaneously

 

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The northbound lanes on Loop 375 between the North Loop Overpass (Americas) and the Pellicano Overpass (Joe Battle) will be completely closed Wednesday, September 26 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (the following morning).

  

The right lane on Gateway West between the West to Southbound Ramp and Don Haskins Dr. will be closed Wednesday, September 26 and Thursday, September 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  

The following closures will be in place Wednesday, September 26 through Friday, September 28:

8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

     South to Westbound Ramp will be closed daily between Joe Battle Blvd. and Gateway West

 

7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

     Gateway West closed nightly between the West to Southbound Ramp and the South to Westbound Ramp

 

The following closures will be in place Thursday, September 27:

7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

     West to Southbound Clover Ramp between Gateway West and Joe Battle Blvd.

     Southbound lanes on Joe Battle Blvd. between the South to Westbound Ramp and East to Southbound Ramp

 

9 p.m. to 12 a.m. (the following morning)

Complete closures of the southbound lanes on Joe Battle (Loop 375) between Bob Hope Dr. and Rojas Dr.

 

11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (the following morning)

     Northbound lanes on Loop 375 between the North Loop Overpass (Americas) and the Pellicano Overpass (Joe Battle) will be completely closed

 

The following closures will be in place Friday, September 28 through Monday October 1:

Friday at 10 a.m. and remaining closed through Monday October 1 at 6 a.m.

     Gateway West between the West to Southbound Ramp and Don Haskins Dr.

 

Friday through Monday, October 1 each night from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. (following morning)

     Southbound lanes on Joe Battle Blvd. between the South to Westbound Ramp and East to Southbound Ramp

Mayor Makes Decision on Ballpark

I have given this issue much thought and soul searching and have come to the conclusion that it is not in the best interest of the City of El Paso for the Mayor to use his veto power.  Based upon the information I have been provided by the City Manager and the investor group, I believe any delay might cause us to lose this opportunity.

The reasons for my decision are as follows:

 

1. No voter approval on Quality of Life projects

I was troubled by the fact we are overturning a long standing policy of securing voter approval before proceeding with Quality of Life projects. The City Manager and staff have made the argument that the ballpark is really an economic development project and deserves to be treated as such. The City of El Paso regularly approves economic development projects without voter approval. Further, I was reminded of the fact that past signature quality of life projects were done without voter approval, such as the Plaza Theater and the El Paso Art Museum and both are gems in our Downtown and successful.

 

1. Demolition of City Hall

After researching possible sites, an alternate site for the baseball stadium could have been the buildings south of the Convention Center all the way to Paisano Drive which includes 38 parcels of land owned by 22 different owners for a total land value of $25 million.  The selection of this site would have created the need to use eminent domain and might require the City to incur expensive attorney fees and court costs.

It would have also slowed down the process and possibly kill the idea for a ball park. Additionally, the condition of City Hall and the price tag of $30 million to renovate would not be an overall benefit to the City. The $13 million appraised value of City Hall is comparable with the research that I did on other large downtown properties that include Wells Fargo, Chase and El Paso Electric buildings which were sold in the last five years and were appraised within the range of $12 - $15 million. This assessment supports the argument to use the City Hall site.

1. Negative Impact to Quality of Life Election

I am concerned that the ballpark opposition will harm the Quality of Life bond election. However, all the supporters of the ballpark project have indicated they will work to support the Quality of Life election. I would encourage all to put aside their differences and look at what is best for our entire community. The 2012 bond election includes projects for the entire City and will provide the funding to pay for the stadium without using taxpayer money. I urge everyone to support the bond to further the vision of having a vibrant quality of life for our citizens and those that come to visit our City.

Next Steps in Ballpark Process

On Tuesday, September 18 City approved the following actions:

Lease between the City of El Paso and Mountain Star Sports Group, LLC 

Development agreement that outlines the plan/process that will take place to construct the ballpark 

Non-relocation agreement that clarifies that the team will not relocate for 25 years following the start of the first season

Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 017850 for the purpose of clarifying the ballot language regarding the Venue Project and Hotel Occupancy Tax Proposition

Ordinance amending Homestead exemption 

Resolution that authorizes the use of Construction Manager-at-Risk method for construction of the ballpark

Construction Manager-at-Risk allows the City, Construction Manager and Architect/Engineer to work as a unified team and has the potential to expedite construction schedules when established as the method that will produce the best value for a selected City project.  

Construction Manager-At-Risk Procurement Policy 

The next steps in the process are :

Finalize contract of purchase - 2 buildings and 1 parking area

801/811 Texas

300 North Campbell 

Parking lot - has two addresses because it is actually two parcels:  401 Mills (most used) and 400 East Main

      Design Architect Contract

Request For Qualifications (RFQ) received

Contract to Council end of October

Owner Representative Contract

This individual that will assist the City in working out ballpark construction issues

Issue RFQ by October

Construction Manager-at –Risk Contract

Issue RFQ by October

Create Demolition package

Prepare design/ specifications

Issue notice to proceed

Bid out contract for actual demolition

Create Utility relocation package

Prepare plan to relocate utilities on City hall site and in surrounding area

Relocation Process

Space planning at new locations in process

Complete timeline to move each floor/ department

Extras Needed for 'Fort Bliss' Film

The production team filming the upcoming feature film 'Fort Bliss' is looking for volunteers to appear in a homecoming scene.

They will need Soldiers to march through the doors and family members to greet their loved ones, as if they had just returned from Afghanistan.

Extras are needed to serve as both the redeploying Soldiers and their family members welcoming them home.

Soldiers, either Active, Guard, or Reserve, and family members or El Pasoans wishing to participate need to arrive at the Arrival and Departure Airfield, or ADACG, at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 7th.

In order to present an accurate and professional image of the Army, all Soldiers wishing to appear in the film must be in full compliance with all Army regulations on grooming and appearance.  All Soldiers will appear in ACU, not Multicam, with 1st Armored Division patches on both sleeves. Civilians should dress in attire appropriate for a military homecoming.

For more information on the opportunity to appear in the film, or to RSVP, please email filmfortbliss@gmail.com.

Tenet Announces $67 Million Expansion at Sierra Providence East Medical Center

Tenet Healthcare Corporation today announced a $67 million investment in Sierra Providence East Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, that will further the hospital’s mission to provide high-quality care to the eastside community. The project includes the construction of a four-story tower and the expansion of the hospital’s existing patient tower and emergency department, totaling more than 145,000 square feet.

“We are excited to be expanding our hospital after only four years,” said Sally Hurt, chief executive officer of Sierra Providence East Medical Center. “Since we opened our doors in 2008, an increasing number of patients have trusted us with their medical needs. We are proud to be a provider of choice and we look forward to increasing our capacity of care, enhancing our services and bringing new jobs to our community.”

The primary focus of the expansion will be the new four-story tower that will add 30 surgical beds and 30 medical beds. The project includes the addition of a 12-bed cardiovascular intensive care unit and will increase the emergency department capacity from 21 beds to 31 beds. The construction will also expand the cafeteria, add classrooms for community education and relocate the administrative offices.

“This expansion is a testament to Tenet’s continued commitment to serve the health care needs of the El Paso community,” said Tim Adams, senior vice president of operations for Tenet’s Central States region. “The tower and associated developments will enhance the hospitals’ ability to grow alongside its patient base while offering comprehensive care under one roof.”

Construction is slated to begin in December 2012 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

Important City Council Meeting On Tuesday!

On September 18, 2012 the following items will go before City Council for discussion and action and are scheduled to begin at 10:30 am.

 

1.   Lease between the City of El Paso and Mountain Star Sports Group, LLC (along with development and non-relocation agreements)* (Public hearing ,discussion and action)

2.   Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 017850 for the purpose of clarifying the ballot language regarding the Venue Project and Hotel Occupancy Tax Proposition (Public hearing, discussion and action)

3.       Ordinance amending Homestead exemption (Public hearing, discussion and action)

4.       Petition Ordinance (discussion and action)

5.       Contract of purchase - 2 buildings and 1 parking area(Discussion and action)

a.      801/811 Texas

b.      300 North Campbell

c.       Parking lot -  has two addresses because it is actually two parcels:  401 Mills (most used) and 400 East Main

Mayors Wager on Battle of I-10

Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima and El Paso Mayor John Cook have entered into a flag-waving wager over Saturday’s Aggies-Miners game.

The mayor whose team wins will have his city’s flag flown in front of the defeated mayor’s City Hall.

“Mayor Cook and I are huge supporters of our college teams. We look forward to the annual rivalry game and in the spirit of friendly fun will fly the flag of the city whose team wins,” Miyagishima said.

Kickoff is 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept, 15^th at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso. 

EPCC’S LITERARY FIESTA: A CELEBRATION OF READERS, WRITERS AND BOOKS

EPCC’S LITERARY FIESTA: A CELEBRATION OF READERS, WRITERS AND BOOKS     

El Paso Community College will hold its 4^th annual Literary Fiesta to display the works and recognize local and area writers. The Fiesta will take place Friday, September 21 and Saturday, September 22 at the college’s Administrative Services Center (ASC), 9050 Viscount. 

Opening Reception and Awards Presentation 

5:45-7:30 p.m., Fri., Sept. 21, ASC Boardroom

►Presentation of EPCC’s Literary Legacy Award to Marcia Hatfield Daudistel

    Presentation of EPCC’s Community Spirit Award to BorderSenses 

    Entertainment by César Iván/Readings by Richard Yáñez

 

All Day Literary Fiesta

10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sat., Sept. 22, ASC Boardroom

Book sellers, food, music, arts & crafts vendors and children’s storytelling center

Free books for all children provided by Books are GEMS 

►Nephtalí de León, Chicano poet/painter -10-10:45 a.m., ASC Boardroom

►César Iván, local artist/musician- 11-11:45 a.m., ASC Boardroom

►BorderSenses, Memorias del Silencio: Footprints of the Borderland (stories from migrant 

    workers), noon-12:45 p.m., ASC Boardroom

►Marcia Hatfield Daudistel, a conversation, 1:10-2:30 p.m., ASC Boardroom

►Readings by: Daniel Chacón, Sasha Pimental Chacón and Benjamٕín Alire Saénz.

Sponsored by the Literary Fiesta Committee, the EPCC Office of the President, Salute to the Arts & PaPaGaYo Literacy Center, all events are FREE and open to the public.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPCC Celebrates Teen Drivers

El Paso Community College (EPCC) and State Farm are proud to present “Celebrate My Drive” for an opportunity to rally around and support teen drivers everywhere as they learn to drive and get ready for the road ahead. This event will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, September 15, 2012 in the courtyard of the Americana Language Village on the EPCC Valle Verde Campus, 919 Hunter Rd.

“Celebrate My Drive” events take place across the United States and Canada to celebrate what’s great about getting your driver’s license and preparing for the road ahead. The event at EPCC will include food, music, fun and games for the teen drivers that are participating in this event. 

The EPCC Driver Training Program is offered after school at local high schools. Students between the ages of 15 to 18 years of age are eligible to participate in the six-week program.

For more information contact, EPCC Driver Training Programs at (915) 831-7112

9/11 Memorial Ceremony To Be Held At Museum

Museum Admission Waived For First Responders and Their Families All Day On Sept. 11

The Otero County Fire Fighters Association will hold their annual September 11^th Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012 at the New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo.  The ceremony begins with a slide show starting at 7:30 pm. The formal program will start at 8 pm. The ceremony is free to the public.

In conjunction with the Memorial Ceremony, the Museum will offer free admission to active and retired civilian or military First Responders and their families all day on Sept. 11. “We are honored that the Otero County Fire Fighters Association has chosen us to be part of this ceremony each year and in appreciation of their service, we will have the museum open free to First Responders and their families all day. Simply show your identification to our museum receptionist to be admitted,” said Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll. Additionally, the Museum will be open late that evening, from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm, with free admission to all planning to attend the ceremony.

The evening’s Memorial Program will include a fire and police turnout ceremony, candle lighting and the symbolic lighting of the twin towers on the museum building. The Holloman Honor Guard will present flags for the fire and police officers who have died in the line of duty in Otero County. Members of the Alamogordo High School Choir will provide music and area resident William Meagher will play the bagpipes.

The guest speaker is Retired Lieutenant William Dement from the New York Police Department. As a patrol Sergeant in Manhattan, Sergeant Dement was the third response vehicle to the first World Trade Center bombing in 1991.He rescued people from a smoke-filled third  floor before taking over hospital operations at St. Vincent’s Hospital where 1,000 victims were brought and in which  5 died.

On September 11, 2001,  Dement was on vacation in Ruidoso where he was building his retirement home. After learning of the attacks, he drove 2100 miles in 2 days to New York City to respond to the disaster.

Dement spent four months sifting through debris of the World Trade Center site after the attacks of Sept 11, 2001. He worked a 12-hour tour at the World Trade Center on Sept 14, 2001, before spending three months on recovery and investigative work at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, New York, where debris was transported from the site.

The Memorial Ceremony is free to the public. Parking will be in the lot just above the IMAX Theater.

The public is invited to join in this solemn affair to commemorate the events on this day in 2001 when America and freedom were attacked on our home soil and so many heroes; fire, police and civilian alike came together to save tens of thousands of lives. 

The New Mexico Museum of Space History is a division of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information, call 575-437-2840 or toll free 1-877-333-6589 or visit the website at www.nmspacemuseum.org.

8th Annual I-10 Coalition blood drive with UTEP and NMSU kicks off September 10th.

Eight years ago, NMSU and UTEP agreed to join forces to help save lives in the community by partnering with United Blood Services for a week long blood drive at both campuses on the same week prior to the traditional I -10 football game.

This year is no different and both campuses are preparing to kick-off the traditional drive in a big way at a rally on the same day and same time. Free food, prizes, and lots of fun.

The Kick – off will be on Monday, September 10^th at 11:15 – 11:45 and will feature the student body Presidents, student association groups, cheerleaders, pep bands etc.   Dr. Diana Natalicio at UTEP will be on hand as well as Dr. Barbara Couture at NMSU  to give the opening remarks and the drive will begin immediately after the kick-off at various locations on campus.

Dr. Natalicio is quoted as saying  “Although the traditional football game is a battle of

I-10, I like to think of this blood drive as a true coalition with both schools coming together for the purpose of saving lives in our community by donating blood.”

The campuses are trying to collect 1350 pints this year breaking the record of 1266 pints last year.   Anyone can donate and everyone who does will get a cool “ I Give” t-shirt as pictured on this release!

WHAT:     8^th annual I – 10 Coalition Blood Drive  UTEP and NMSU

WHERE:   KICK- OFF

                  UTEP  -  The patio area of the Student Union Bldg.

                  NMSU -   Outside Guthrie Hall

WHEN:    Monday, September 10^th   11:15 – 11:45   - KICKOFF

Blood drive is all week from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at various locations of    campuses