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El Paso, the day has finally arrived.
Renovation of San Jacinto Plaza will be completed by March 18, 2016, the city of El Paso confirmed today, following an El Paso 411 article that announced construction of the 2-acre park was approaching 1,000 days.
The $6 million renovation includes a splash pad, huacha court, game tables, enhanced landscaping and lighting. The recently restored Los Lagartos sculpture has returned to the center of the plaza and the new shade canopy designed to protect it from the sun is installed. A new cafe has also been completed.
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Several major events have relocated as a result of the construction (which was originally set to be completed by November of 2014), including the 100th annual Celebration of Lights, Neon Desert Music Festival and the Mariachi Loco Music Festival.
Organizers of the Mariachi Loco Music Festival were forced to relocate their event, which was advertised to take place on the streets surrounding San Jacinto Plaza, after the city said the park would be ready in time for the event last May. The event is expected to take place at the plaza May 6-8 this year.
The contractor, Basic IDIQ has been fined $1,000 per day since May 4, 2015, which when added up, equals to about 319 days , or $319,000 in fines. However, the company will likely negotiate the fine after the park is released to the city.
Although the park will be completed by March 18, it will likely not be open to the public immediately. Officials with the city are expected to make that announcement sometime soon.
