Out in El Paso, they reshape downtown

Voters in El Paso, Texas, overwhelmingly supported $473 million in “quality of life” bonds that will fund city parks and cultural venues. “Everything that was taken to the voters was designed to implement Plan El Paso and create a dynamic urban center,” city manager Joyce Wilson told Better! Cities & Towns, which reported in detail on this in the December 2012 issue. “Within 5 years, it will be a game changer relative to what El Paso is now." One of the measures, about $240 million, will fund parks throughout the city. Another will go toward a $180 million arena for sports, concerts, and theatrical shows. In addition, city council has recently taken other steps toward realizing the vision in Plan El Paso, including $10 million in streetscape improvements and $5 million to revitalize the city's central public space, San Jacinto Plaza, pictured above.

For more in-depth coverage: 

• Subscribe to Better! Cities & Towns to read all of the articles (print+online) on implementation of greener, stronger, cities and towns.

• Get the December 2012 issue. Topics: Sprawl versus walkable: Housing study, Nashville code creates value, Wake up call from Sandy, Downtown Columbia, Smart growth at the polls, Buffalo code reform, Housing and driving costs, Comparing new urban and conventional development, NorthWest Crossing, Alexander's The Battle for the Life and Beauty of the Earth

• Get New Urbanism: Best Practices Guide, packed with more than 800 informative photos, plans, tables, and other illustrations, this book is the best single guide to implementing better cities and towns.