July 11, 2006
Downtown Development Plan
RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, our Board of Directors believes that the economic development core of any community is centered around it’s downtown and we believe that a community needs a vibrant, progressive downtown in order to be more competitive in attracting jobs, industry, investment, tourism, and WHEREAS, our Board of Directors agrees with the need to revitalize and re-energize our downtown area, and that the present state of downtown El Paso should provide more than it does today in terms of economic and cultural benefits for the vast majority of the regions residents, and WHEREAS, our Board of Directors discussed at length with City Representatives Presi Ortega, Steve Ortega, Beto O’Rourke, PDN representative Sandra Sanchez Almenzan and City Manager Joyce Wilson about their concerns with the downtown plan, and WHEREAS, our Board of Directors supports the overall concept of the downtown revitalization plan with six (6) issues for consideration regarding the plan as it exists today, and would request these issues be considered, and be known that, 1. The EPHCC Board of Directors is concerned with the information being disseminated throughout the community as to the intended use of eminent domain which, as explained to this board, would only be the road of last resort and that the use of eminent domain would be the uncommon exception to property acquisition, and should only be applied after a majority of affected property owners, both large and small, have agreed to a fair market transaction, and 2. The redevelopment plan should include reimbursements, grants, subsidies or compensation for dislocation small businesses in order to assist them in relocating and getting their businesses re-stabilized, and 3. As we move this city forward we have a moral obligation to protect small, minority and women owned businesses. El Paso has experienced first hand what it means to have dislocated workers without a contingency plan, and 4. As the City gets ready to move forward and approve this plan it is our recommendation that a Small Business Revolving Loan Fund be established for businesses that will be forced to relocate with hands on technical assistance to understand the process and steps that need to be taken for them to continue to champion their own destiny, and 5. All consideration should be given to historical and cultural elements of the areas to be affected, and 6. All Consideration should be given to input from the present stakeholders (property owners, business owners, and residents) so as to minimize negative economic or personal impact from the implementation of the plan, and WHEREAS, the EPHCC has developed a plan to help provide educational business training through our ‘Sidewalk Survival Strategies for a Changing Economy,” designed to help small businesses get a better grasp on how changing environments and economies can position business for new markets of opportunity, and NOW THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of “Your Advocate for Small Business Success” supports the revitalizing of downtown and encourages our Mayor and City Council to take into consideration the aforementioned recommendations in the final Downtown Redevelopment Plan to be submitted for final approval. ADOPTED, this 11th day of July, 2006.