Work could very well begin late this summer on the building of a $80 million amphitheater that will go up in the 9700 block of Gateway North Boulevard, roughly 12 miles to the northeast of downtown El Paso.
That site is the former location for the nearly 10,000-seat Cohen Stadium, which was built by the City in 1990 and leveled almost exactly 30 years later.
The project, which has been long in the planning stage, will see the construction of what is being called the Sunset Amphitheater, a 12,000-seat facility with a vista view of the Franklin Mountains.
The structure is designed to be part of a larger 50-acre entertainment district, and will be developed by the Notes Lives Company, which is based in Colorado Springs. That company is currently completing a similar project in its home city.
The design of the El Paso facility will feature fire pit suites, landscaped hydro-chill grass, and a custom-built owner’s club.
In a statement, El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser described the stadium project as an “iconic venture that will not only attract renowned artists but will also provide an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts from across the region.”
More than six years ago, the City of El Paso revealed a master plan called Reimagining Cohen, which proposed the construction of a restaurant, retail, and residential space at the site after determining that upgrading the existing stadium itself would not be cost effective.
The Cohen stadium and site were named in honor of Major League baseball players and brothers Andy and Syd Cohen.
By Garry Boulard
