Century Center

[shawnw]

As long as it's open until 9pm-ish everyday I'm good with it not being 24hr, though that would be cool too.

[Pete]

The CVS they just opened in downtown El Paso is 7-9 M-F, 7-8 SA, and 8-5 SU.

[shawnw]

Not crazy about the Sunday hours but the rest is fine.

[Pete]

If they would start at those hours, strong business might get them to expand them.

[FighttheGoodFight]

The CVS they just opened in downtown El Paso is 7-9 M-F, 7-8 SA, and 8-5 SU.

These hours would be great. Opening at 7am would help me out if I need to pick up something before work.

[shawnw]

Did you mean for that to go in the Stage Center thread?

[Centerback]

I'm one of those people who isn't a fan of either. In fact they both are almost exactly the same to me, even post renovation.

Yeah, you're probably right...

[zookeeper]

Yeah, you're probably right...

Except one was dead as a door nail and the other will be teeming with activity. BIG difference (to me).

[jccouger]

I meant the proposed stage center tower and the renovated century center are practically the same. Obviously not exactly, but they are very similar in stature and appearance.

[Centerback]

I meant the proposed stage center tower and the renovated century center are practically the same. Obviously not exactly, but they are very similar in stature and appearance.

Perhaps...

[Spartan]

Except one was dead as a door nail and the other will be teeming with activity. BIG difference (to me).

How do we know this?

[zookeeper]

How do we know this?

Spartan, Understand I misunderstood the comparison. I was comparing the Century Center today versus the Century Center of tomorrow. We know there will be lots of activity based on the fact The Oklahoman offices will be there. That alone brings the property to life.

[Spartan]

It's a relatively small office where most people go home at 5. They've downsized more than you may realize, which is what made this all possible. It's phenomenal to have the newspaper, a civic beacon for better or worse, located in the heart of the city. But the Candy Factory w Advanced Academics was a larger office WITH a street level museum (museum > CVS) and still pretty dead.

[zookeeper]

It's a relatively small office where most people go home at 5. They've downsized more than you may realize, which is what made this all possible. It's phenomenal to have the newspaper, a civic beacon for better or worse, located in the heart of the city. But the Candy Factory w Advanced Academics was a larger office WITH a street level museum (museum > CVS) and still pretty dead.

You may very well know more about this than I do. I understand the newspaper industry has fallen on hard times. But as for the numbers that are going downtown for the paper - I assumed it would be substantial. As for going home at 5:00, so does every other business in the CBD, that's no big deal. 5:00, though? That's a bit early I would guess for a morning newspaper. But then again, maybe many just file their material online, I don't know. Maybe Steve could help us out with this question.

[Pete]

OPUBCO is moving 350 employees into the Century Center and the newsroom will be featured prominently on the ground floor with large windows. There will be all types of video broadcasts on the a huge outdoor screen.

There will be a large CVS, perhaps operating 24 hours.

And there will be a restaurant with large patio on the most prominent corner facing the park.


Given the current state of downtown, I don't see how you could possibly squeeze more life into / out of this structure.

[shawnw]

I absolutely cannot wait for this to happen (in the way that Pete describes). I know this is supposed to happen in 2014. But I hope it's sooner in 2014 vs later. But so far it feels behind (even if it's not).

[Bellaboo]

OPUBCO does a whole lot more than newspapers.

[Anonymous.]

Now if they could make the pedestrian barrier that is EKG easier for people to walk from DD to the CBD, I could see the CVS getting lots of foot traffic.

[AP]

Now if they could make the pedestrian barrier that is EKG easier for people to walk from DD to the CBD, I could see the CVS getting lots of foot traffic.

That's probably my biggest concern downtown, not including a practical grocery store. No one really mentions it here but to me, EKG cuts DD and BT off from everything else.

[shawnw]

Now if they could make the pedestrian barrier that is EKG easier for people to walk from DD to the CBD, I could see the CVS getting lots of foot traffic.

I walk (and bike) a lot from Midtown to DD and BT, and while EKG does suck, especially after having walked through the P180 areas, I don't really feel cut off from BT/DD. If there are places you want or need to be at on the other side, you go. At least there are crosswalks and traffic signals (again not apologizing for its suckishness compared to P180). For example, the train tracks between DD and BT definitely cut DD and BT off from each other, it's the most pedestrian-unfriendly scenario imaginable, but people still traverse them every single day, because there are places on the other side that they want or need to be at. I guess my point is that we need more places in the CBD that you DD and BT folks want to be at, and then it doesn't matter what the barriers (perceived or actual) are, you'll cross them gladly to get there. Perhaps the CVS will be a start.

[BDK]

After the improvements on EKG, it will be much less of a barrier.

I thought EKG improvements were scrapped. Is this not the case?

[shawnw]

I believe a grant is providing funding to complete the P180 improvements to at least a portion of EKG

[BDK]

I believe a grant is providing funding to complete the P180 improvements to at least a portion of EKG

Gotcha. Thanks. Happy to be wrong on this one.

[shawnw]

I went to the 10/23/13 P180 public meeting and EKG was briefed, so it's definitely still there (due to the grant funding)...

...BUT I don't think it's being touched until the P180 efforts presently happening on Robinson/Kerr, etc, and not until after Park is done I think, are complete.

[Centerback]

OPUBCO is moving 350 employees into the Century Center and the newsroom will be featured prominently on the ground floor with large windows. There will be all types of video broadcasts on the a huge outdoor screen.

There will be a large CVS, perhaps operating 24 hours.

And there will be a restaurant with large patio on the most prominent corner facing the park.


Given the current state of downtown, I don't see how you could possibly squeeze more life into / out of this structure.

There was word of the YMCA opening another smaller facility in this project as well, not sure where that stands but would be welcome in CBD.