The City of El Paso has found a home for the Children’s Museum, one of three signature projects of the 2012 Quality of Life Bond program.
City Council on Tuesday approved purchasing the maintenance facility of Greyhound Lines, Inc. at 201 W. Main St. at a price of $1.27 million plus the cost of demolishing the existing building. Demolition should not exceed $200,000.
As part of the purchase agreement approved by council, Greyhound at its expense will conduct the property’s environmental remediation to include removing the underground storage tanks and asbestos.
The future home of the Children’s Museum is located in the El Paso Downtown Arts District and is adjacent to the El Paso Museum of Art and the Plaza Theater.
“We are excited to be able to move this project forward. The acquisition of this property aligns well with the City’s commitment to realize a promise to deliver on one of three signature bond projects approved by voters in 2012,” Tracey Jerome, Director of the City’s Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, said. “This is a perfect location for our Children’s Museum. It enhances our El Paso Downtown Arts District and complements our cultural programming while serving as a key year-round tourism and economic development asset for our community.”
The land purchase agreement includes having Greyhound make a substantial “first contribution” and challenge grant to the Children’s Museum. The City and Greyhound are continuing to discuss the proposed contribution.
Council also approved a 10-year lease agreement with Greyhound for approximately 16,000 square feet of Sun Metro’s facility, at 700 San Francisco, at a cost of $114,409 per year for its maintenance operations. The lease agreement was also approved by the Mass Transit Department Board.
Advancing the 2012 bond projects is part of the City’s strategic plan to enhance El Paso’s quality of life through the creation of innovative recreational, educational and cultural programs.
