In the wake of the successful passage of a $323.8 million bond, initial planning for the construction of a new animal shelter in El Paso County may begin next year.
The project is slated to receive $32.3 million and is set to be built on vacant land adjacent to the El Paso County Jail Annex at 12501 Montana Avenue.
The animal shelter proposal passed with around 63% of the vote.
Other bond proposals winning voter approval: $95.6 million for a series of upgrade projects in the county’s vast park system, which secured 56% of the vote.
Narrowly approved, with just over 50% of the vote: $26.7 million for the building of new facilities for the County’s Office of Medical Examiner.
Falling short of a majority, a $105 million bond to renovate and modernize the historic El Paso County Coliseum, which garnered around 49.8% of the vote. In an interview with the El Paso Times, El Paso County Commissioner David Stout expressed regret over the failure of the coliseum bond, noting: “It’s a historic property and a hugely important asset.”
In looking at the need to modernize the coliseum, which was opened in 1942, Stout expressed the hope that “in the future we can find a way to fund some of those upgrades.”
In a separate ballot question, voters approved passage of a nearly $397 million bond proposed by the El Paso County Hospital District for the construction of a new University Medical Center facility.
That project will fund the building of a burn center, as well as new space for critical care beds, more operating room space, and a comprehensive cancer care center. As planned, the cancer facility will be run via a partnership between the University Medical Center and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso.
The Hospital District bond will also fund the building of new clinical facilities dedicated to older adult and geriatric care in the growing Central El Paso area.
November 7, 2024
By Garry Boulard
