City of Eagle Pass Purchases Four Downtown Properties for $1.6 Million for Economic Development
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2022
Eagle Pass City Manager George Antuna announced that effective June 30, 2022 the City of Eagle Pass had purchased four downtown properties on Main Street for a total purchase price of $1.6 Million previously approved by the City Council for purposes of economic development projects.
The four properties purchased by the City of Eagle Pass are the former downtown HEB store at the corner of Main and Adams Streets, the parking lot behind the former downtown HEB store, the former Three Sisters store on Main Street, and the former Kress Building on Main Street.
Antuna stated the City of Eagle Pass is interested in developing in the near future a multi-level parking lot in downtown Eagle Pass with retail stores and/or restaurants on the first level as well as developing a Children’s Museum in the former Kress Building and possibly a retail store and museum for Constellation Brands, which manufactures Corona beer and other brand beers in Nava, Coahuila, Mexico for export to the United States and Canada.
Antuna added the City of Eagle Pass is interested in bringing economic development, retail trade, and tourism to downtown Eagle Pass. The City of Eagle Pass plans to pursue economic development grants from federal and state agencies to assist it with economic development studies, plans, and development of projects.
Antuna noted there is a shortage of parking spaces in downtown Eagle Pass and the City Council seeks to build a multi-level parking garage with mixed commercial establishments on the first level.
Antuna added the City of Eagle Pass is discussing with IBC Bank on the possibility of developing a city plaza-type park in their downtown bank parking lot located at 468 E. Main Street, including the possible closure of Madison Street between Quarry and Main Streets for parking spaces. The proposal was presented to IBC Bank-Eagle Pass President Hector Cerna and IBC Bank Chief Executive Officer and President Dennis Nixon. The City and IBC Bank will continue their discussions on this proposal.
A Downtown Master Plan recently commissioned by City Council determined that the city lacks public park space and parking spaces in downtown Eagle Pass to attract traffic such as retail buyers and tourists and private economic development to the area.
Earlier this year, the City of Eagle Pass announced the possibility of a new hotel being constructed in the downtown area by a private investment group.
The City of Eagle Pass will continue to work with all stakeholders in bringing economic development to downtown, beautify downtown, and improve the quality of life in the community.
