By Brian Kennedy

It has been a dozen years since the 2012 quality of life bond election. The endless spin of stories, high hopes, half-truths, accusations, and plain falsehoods that have followed the “arena” only continue to multiply.  

My view of this project is informed by 50 years of industry experience: from bodyguard to facilities manager, promoter, venue/event/sports tourism consultant, and sports and entertainment attorney.  

If you voted in the 2012 election, you may not have noticed that the language on the ballot did not have the word arena in it. Those who were trying to get the bond passed were told that if they called it an arena the bond might fail. The word “Downtown” was also left out, though it appears in the bond ordinance.

Since the zoo and museums were on the ballot, in a less than forthright sleight of hand, the “arena” became a Multipurpose Performing Arts and Entertainment Center (MPC), seemingly to gain support from arts advocates. 

During the community campaign, information was passed along about an “arena” with 14,000 seats or more. No justification, no location, and no “arena” on the ballot. Many of the voters who approved the “MPC” on the 2012 ballot thought they were voting for an arena. Not a good way to start.  

But wait there’s more.

The cost of the MPC was set at $180 million. In 2012, no one I spoke to in the entertainment industry thought that was enough money. The overall impression was that it was at least $100 million short of being delivered, even in 2012. (As a note, almost all the signature bond projects approved on that ballot have had cost overruns). 

In 2016 the location was set in Duranguito, a location where the inevitable difficulty of getting patrons, equipment, and trucks in and out of that area was never adequately addressed. Everyone dug in their heels. Precious time and money were lost. 

Move the clock forward 12 years and here we are. Let’s take an honest look at today’s options:  

1. Build the 14,000 seat arena. This is a failed option. Today, a 14,000-seat arena will cost us as least $300 million more than we have. Suddenly, advice is being offered that we should investigate other methods and partnerships. Where was this push for the last 12 years? No one has brought forward the $300 million check.

2. Build something outside the Downtown area. We can’t. The 2012 bond issue underlying ordinance clearly specified a Downtown footprint. Even if there are other locations that might be more  beneficial, they are not an option because the bond money is restricted to a Downtown footprint. 

3. Build what we can with what we have. The current proposal being vetted at public hearings is the “What is the most we can do with the money we have within the footprint allowed” version. There are  valid concerns about parking, getting in and out, availability of acts for the size of  the facility, noise interference and vibration from the railroad tracks next to the venue, and how it will fit with what is needed to expand the entertainment in El  Paso. 

4. Stop trying to force this project. Cancel it. Bring a fully ready project back to the voters with all  the details and costs identified. This means finally telling the voters what they will really get, what the facility will cost to build, what we will be getting for our money, what it will cost to  run the place, where it will be, and it gives us the opportunity to  explore other possible partners that can make projects happen with less impact on  the taxpayers.

The biggest concern with this option is not honoring what the voters said they wanted in 2012, when voters were sold a concept that was not going to happen at the cost they were told. (That statement will likely bring out all those originally involved to defend what was presented. Just stop! We aren’t being fooled. We accepted that it was underpriced and over promised years ago.) 

The question now is how we move forward. What’s best for El Paso?  We are exhausted by the shouting, accusations, vilification, venom, and vitriol.  

Taxpayers are tired of constant political posturing and the flat out lying. Let’s start quiet conversations aimed at working together on critical projects for this city. There are lots of people doing everything they can to make El Paso become what it can be. 

I am raising my hand to be part of that conversation. Stop shouting and start talking. And remember whose money you’re playing with.

Brian Kennedy is mayor pro tempore and city representative for District 1.