San Jacinto Plaza is the historic heart of El Paso, Texas. City officials are planning a major redevelopment of the plaza, perhaps even expanding its traditional borders and using New York's Bryant Park rebirth as a model.
While in a prominent location and bearing a long history (at 130 years old, it's El Paso's oldest public space), San Jacinto Plaza is significantly underused. City Representatives Beto O'Rourke and Steve Ortega want that to change.
Marty Schladen reports:
"[O'Rourke and Ortega] want to expand the park -- possibly by closing a lane on surrounding streets -- to add trees and to remove fences and signs that keep people out of many areas of the square-block plaza.
"It's impossible to come into this park and walk on a single blade of grass," Ortega said on a recent visit as he pointed out multiple signs telling visitors what they can't do.
Instead, O'Rourke wants to redevelop San Jacinto Plaza along the lines of Bryant Park in Manhattan."
FULL STORY: Downtown evolution: Critics plan challenge of Plaza face-lift

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Pedestrian Deaths Drop, Remain Twice as High as in 2009
Fatalities declined by 4 percent in 2024, but the U.S. is still nowhere close to ‘Vision Zero.’

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie