Letter to the Editor

As a proud small business owner of Healthy Bite and operator of the Little Stars Cafe in La Nube, I’m excited by all the energy and activity happening in Downtown El Paso. Events like Chalk the Block, Día de los Muertos, and WinterFest bring people from across our city together and into the heart of our community.

These festivals show that Downtown isn’t just a pass through or a corridor — it’s a destination. And in the last 10 years, it has only gotten better.

That’s why I’m excited about the potential of the Deck Plaza project. For years, local businesses and community members have dreamed of a space that connects neighborhoods and brings more people together. The Deck Plaza will turn the gap created by I-10 into a vibrant, walkable space filled with opportunities to gather, shop, play and celebrate our culture.

For small businesses like mine, more foot traffic means more opportunity. When people feel encouraged to explore and stay Downtown, it creates a ripple effect, sparking new ideas, supporting local jobs, and building long-term momentum.

The Deck Plaza will take events like WinterFest and the momentum Downtown to the next level. With more space, better connectivity, and a vision rooted in community, this project represents the future of El Paso, not just Downtown El Paso.

- Paola Russell, Downtown El Paso

This letter originally appeared in El Paso Times on January 14, 2026.

Read the original letter here.