Just over a year ago, the City of El Paso unveiled another in a long line of plans to redevelop Downtown. We hope by now that we do not have to explain this plan to you nor the controversy that has surrounded it.

The biggest source of the Plan’s controversy seems to be what it holds in store for the part of El Paso known as Segundo Barrio. Additionally, the Plan has brought up the possibility of using eminent domain, as many people who live or run businesses in the planned redevelopment area simply do not want to give up their property.

Before I get whether or not I support the plan, I feel that I should express my disgust with how the plan came about. Having studied public administration, I believe that any “plans” should be done from the bottom up, meaning that those who will be affected the most by a plan, be they rich or poor, should be consulted first. I have not heard much of this being the case. In fact, I have heard quite the opposite more often than not.

At some point, the City held planning sessions that were open to the public in an attempt to make up for taking none to little public input. The City may not have understood, though, that a population in poverty, as most Segundo Barrio residents are, can not be dealt with the same way an average middle-class citizen can be dealt with. The City Council Representative for that area, who supports the Plan and has a conflict of interest with the plan, also made a few attempts to talk to residents of the area and gain their support for the Plan.

Deciding on this plan can be a question of whether the ends justify the means. This plan, in my opinion, was not planned properly. I have trouble believing that the same methods would have been employed in the planning process had the affected residents been of a higher socioeconomic status. That said, it is difficult for me to support the Plan. Residents and business owners must feel like someone cheated on by their spouse. From what I have seen, the City, the cheater in this metaphor, has thought that sending a bouquet of flowers would get them out of the doghouse. Aside from the few public hearings mentioned above, the City has not made much effort to bridge the divison created by the Plan.

As time has passed, the supporters and opponents of the Plan have seemingly only grown farther apart. This apparent lack of collaboration makes it even more difficult for me to root for this Plan. If it does not go through, I hope that the City learns that redevelopment starts by collaborating with those who will be most affected by redevelopment. If it does go through, I hope that affected residents are taken care of.

I have more sympathy for residents of the affected area than I do for the people who run businesses in the area. A business is a business, and by starting one you are taking a risk. I also agree that blight exists in Downtown, primarily because of several businesses there that seem to cater to residents of Juarez. I figure that blight cannot be good for property values and thus property taxes. The Plan would likely fix that, driving up property values Downtown and hopefully easing the tax burden on residents.

Finally, there has been several misinformation regarding the plan, which I will not get into. I can say, however, that private interests are on both sides and somebody is getting screwed.

As I mentioned before, I cannot really support the Plan. I can only hope that the outcome has as few casualties as possible.

-djquinones