El Paso moves closer to I-10 Deck Plaza with $750K in matching funds approved

The I-10 Deck Plaza in Downtown El Paso is one step closer to becoming a reality.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, the El Paso City Council approved a $750,000 in matching funds to be paid to the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization as part of its application for funding for the I-10 Deck Plaza Design Project.

The application for the $10 million grant from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration requires a 50% match, which is being met by a collaboration of local partners — the Metropolitan Planning Organization, which is overseeing this year's application, provided $3.75 million, El Paso County contributed $1 million and the Deck Plaza Foundation has kicked in $250,000.

The city's portion will be pulled from the city Impact Fund, which is fueled by fees paid by El Paso Electric Company.

The project is estimated to cost the city $207 million, and the final product will be owned by the Texas Department of Transportation.

"The transformational project is designed to reconnect neighborhoods historically separated by 1-10 to enhance livability, provide economic opportunity, (add) green space, hike/bike trails and other recreational amenities, and celebrate the region’s rich heritage and culture," the city wrote on Instagram alongside an image emblazoned with the words "Downtown Deck Plaza approved."

However, during Tuesday's vote, South-West city Rep. Chris Canales sought to remind the public that the vote was only to approve funds to be included in a grant application for the plaza's design.

More: El Paso City Council to discuss crime stats, I-10 Deck Plaza project at upcoming meeting

"I do support moving forward with this today ... it does not necessarily mean this project will be constructed," he said. "Supporting this today does not necessarily mean myself, or anyone voting for this today, will support for sure the use of local taxpayer dollars, or any other local funding, for construction in the future."

"This is just the next step in (the) design."

The grant application is due Sept. 30. There is currently no timeline for when the city might get approval.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso moves closer to I-10 Deck Plaza with $750K in matching funds approved