El Paso City Council votes 4-3 to advance amphitheater project in Northeast El Paso

Despite a chorus of concern from city representatives, the El Paso City Council voted to approve the details of the agreement with Venu Inc., formerly Notes Live, for a Sunset Amphitheater in Northeast El Paso.

City Reps. Josh Acevedo, Cassandra Hernandez and Isabel Salcido voted against approval of the 380 Agreement with the company, citing a non-compete clause they asserted is unlike any included contracts for venues in Colorado Springs, Tulsa and McKinney, Texas.

The three joined forces to call for the City Council to delay approval of the contract but were overwhelmed by the remainder of the contingent — city Reps. Brian Kennedy, Joe Molinar, Art Fierro and Chris Canales were the same to hoist the contract to final approval.

The non-compete clause specifies that the city cannot be involved with events within a 60-mile radius that might conflict with the events offered at the new amphitheater. Also, it gives Venu Inc. the right of first refusal if the city moves ahead with its long-beleaguered multi-purpose performing and cultural arts center.

In exchange for its commitment to invest $80 million into the construction of a 12,500-seat amphitheater on the old Cohen Stadium site that will host at least 40 national acts each year, the city is providing Venu Inc. with 17 acres at the corner of Cohen Avenue and Gateway Boulevard North.

City Economic and International Development Department Interim Director Karina Brasgalla said that no General Fund money would be used for the project, which is expected to generate a $5.4 billion economic impact over 25 years.

The incentives floated by the city, she said, would be covered by multiple funds, including the Texas Economic Development Fund, which currently holds about $80 million for El Paso thanks to the El Paso Electric acquisition in 2020, Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) 11, where the project will be housed, and the Cohen Site Readiness Fund.

With the City Council's approval during its meeting on July 2, construction on the project could begin as early as August. The venue will open its doors in March 2026, in time for that year's full tour schedule.

"I'm very supportive of this item," Mayor Oscar Leeser said as the discussion got underway, "because it's going to bring a quality of life and a quality of place, not just in Northeast El Paso, but for the entire city."

"This is really an important step forward for our community."

Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.