Frequently Asked Questions

The Deck Plaza will be a multi-purpose 6.5-acre park built over the portion of I-10 that runs through Downtown El Paso from Santa Fe to Kansas St. Guided by community input, the free public park will feature a variety of high-demand amenities, including an outdoor amphitheater, field house, dog park, children’s playground, bike and walking trails, green space, native gardens, and much more. Based on the Downtown Deck Plaza Feasibility Study, the estimated total cost of the project is $207 million (in 2027 dollars) in addition to $32M for retaining walls.

Like most quality-of-life projects around the country, the Deck Plaza will include a mixture of funding from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to bring the project to life through a phased approach. As of January 2026, the project has received significant funding commitments of $74.5 million, including $10M from the Texas Legislature, $25M from the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization, $3.15M in Federal Community Project Funding, $1M from the County of El Paso, and $35M in private philanthropy.

A recent Economic Impact Study projects that the Deck Plaza will generate nearly $1 billion in total economic output over 30 years. With an estimated 1 to 1.5 million visitors annually, the park will become a vibrant new public space in the heart of our city. The Deck Plaza will drive more foot traffic, spur new investment, support local businesses and strengthen our commercial tax base.

A recent Economic Impact Study identifies the Deck Plaza as a powerful catalyst for affordable and market rate housing development within a half mile of the park. The projected 1,707 new residential units will support the City of El Paso’s Downtown Uptown Master Plan that found demand for up to 10,000 new housing units by 2040.

TxDOT’s upcoming I-10 improvements in the downtown corridor are separate but complementary projects. The reconstruction of I-10 is a state project and will happen regardless of building the deck plaza to build the freeway. The Deck Plaza project is a separate undertaking, however, since TxDOT is making improvements to I-10 through Downtown El Paso, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reclaim this public space over I-10 and reconnect communities by building the park.

Questions about highway construction and any potential property acquisition and right-of-way processes are part of the I-10 widening project and should be directed to TxDOT. The creation of the Deck Plaza will not require any properties to be acquired. The footprint for the final size and amenities of the project will depend upon community input and plans for TxDOT’s Downtown I-10 Project.

Stay updated on upcoming community pop-up events near you, and share your ideas about the activities and events you would like to see at your future park.Visit our Get Involved tab to add your name to the growing list of supporters, receive project updates, and be part of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to Elevate the 10!