Chihuahuita Historic Neighborhood Plan

APATX 2022 Legacy Project

Zoning and Development

Chihuahuita Neighborhood - Context

• Small in area but

BIG in community identity

• Place established 1848 at the end of Mexican-American War, Rio Grande became the border
• Architecture based on traditional Mexican homes - mud brick & adobe

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• South of downtown El Paso
• 20 minute walk to downtown SJP
• 8 minute walk to Downtown Santa Fe Transfer Center
• Poor access south of Transfer Center
• No bus stops
• Rental scooter boundary

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• Chihuahuita is the oldest area of El Paso. (Incorporated in 1873)
• 97% Hispanic Population
• 76% Over the Age of 18
• Steady population decrease since 2000

Landmarks

• Strengths:

Historical Significance

• Weaknesses:

Territorial Barriers

• Opportunities:

Community Investment

• Threats:

Population Decline

Zoning Code

Current Land

Use

• Strengths:

Mixed use

• Weaknesses:

Mostly Built-Out

• Opportunities:

Improve Infrastructure, Connectivity

• Threats:

Historical Form Base Code Guidelines

H-Overlay

Guidelines

Alterations and changes to landmarks and H-overlay properties steps:

• Application Content of a detailed site development plan and construction documents drawn to scale that includes 12 requirements
• Historic Landmark Commission Review
• Administrative Review and Approval of 18 different categories
• Certificate of appropriateness approved by the HLC or approval granted through administrative review
• Recommendation: Review guidelines for a more approachable process.

Case Study

• Oak Cliff, Dallas Texas

Historic District (1901)

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Parks and Open Space

Serenity Garden Park

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Chihuahuita Recreation Center

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Chihuahuita Park

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Lions Plazita

Parks and Open Space

Parks and Open Space

SWOT Analysis

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Strengths:

• The parks here are described as quiet by nature, peaceful areas to convene.
• Pedestrians identify with the Lions Plazita park as a great resting point.
• Chihuahuita Park offers recreational courts for organized play.
• Serenity Garden Park is brimming with green, perfect for natural flora.

Weaknesses

• The closed-in nature of the neighborhood causes an access "bottleneck".
• The pandemic has shut down the local Chihuahuita Recreation Center.
• Border constraints deny the neighborhood of potential river Ecotourism.

Opportunities

• Covid-19 Relief Reopening of Chihuahuita Recreation center.
• Natural Xeriscapes to line Serenity Garden Park as per El Paso Comprehensive Plan.
• Art murals, community gardens, and organized play with existing structures.

Threats

• Pressure from Borderland to reduce activity around the Rio Grande
• Proximity of more accessible parks to the East of the neighborhood.

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Landscape

Serenity Park, March 2022

Newly developed Serenity Park in 2008

Why Xeriscape?

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• Eliminates water waste (up to 50-75%)
• Reduce maintenance
• Reduces pollution
• Improves overall look of community
• Xeriscaping enhances beautification and allows native plants and xerophytes to thrive in specific regions

Xeriscape Plant Recommendations

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Rio Grande Cottonwood Tree

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Derived history of being used by Native Americans, more Native in Northern Chihuahuan Desert.

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Gray Oak Tree

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Evergreen, yet leaves may shed in a drought the Gray Oak is able to grow up to 30ft.

Xeriscape Plant Recommendations

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False Yucca

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Drought resistant ,can be used as natural soap from sapotin found.

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Fourwing Saltbush

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Shrub with prickly leaves, common in El Paso

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Xeriscape Plant Recommendations

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Ocotillo

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Blossoms bright red in April, southwestern native plant. Seeds may be used to make flower of for pastries

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Prickly Pear

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Produces yellow to red flowers in April, and gel may used to help open wound injuries.

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Xeriscape Plant Recommendations

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Gallardia (Indian Blanket)

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Southwestern native plant found in Texas, Mexico, and New Mexico.

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Autumn Sage

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Texas native plant, drought tolerant and resistant against diseases and insects.

Public Art Recommendation

Mural along Bandera Street

Serenity Park

Post-COViD Reopening of Parks Center

Yellowstone Park Signage Example

Desired Impact: To create local activities for the community; organized sports, loterias, farmer’s markets;

To provide local jobs and potential city funding opportunities

Status: Chihuahuita Recreation Center closed in 2020 due to Covid-19 Outbreak

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Recommendation:

Phase-based reopening

• Controlled, one-directional access and queuing lines for services.
• Social distancing floor markers and signs to be posted.
• Enhanced and frequent disinfecting of all public spaces and surfaces.
• Hand sanitizing stations should be located in the common areas.
• Potential to be creative, marketing and wayfinding

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Connectivity and Mobility

Existing Conditions

Public Transportation

Downtown Transit Center

16 bus routes (3 rapid transit)

Streetcar route & bikeshare

Rail

Intermodal facility to the north

Railroad crossing at only entrance into neighborhood

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Existing Conditions

Good Condition

Minor Repairs

Major Repairs

Short-Term Recommendations

Fix sidewalks needing major repairs

Paint crosswalk stripes at all street crossings

Add stop to Route 24 further south on Santa Fe St

Add signage for vehicle traffic directions

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Vehicle Traffic Direction

Charles Road, Bandera Way, and Flores Place made one way for vehicle traffic

Alley also one way for vehicle traffic

Pedestrian and bicycle traffic allowed in both directions on all streets and alley

Mid-Term Recommendations

Fix sidewalks needing major and minor repairs

Add more street lighting

Add crosswalk stripes and tactile paving to all street crossings

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Long-Term Recommendations

Convert residential streets into shared streets

Convert alleyway into a green alley

Build pedestrian bridge spanning railyard and connecting to Downtown Transit Center

Residential Shared Streets

Fully shared and usable space between pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles

• Street paved with brick
• Sidewalk level with rest of road
• Permeable pavement/flow-through planters

Example: The Pearl District in San Antonio

nacto.org

Green Alley

Enhanced and attractive alleyway primarily for pedestrian use

• Repaved with brick
• Interspersed planters
• Better lighting

Example: Green alleys in Chicago and Detroit

nacto.org

Pedestrian Bridge

Connects neighborhood with the Downtown Transit Center

• Creates direct connection
• Avoids conflict with trains and cars

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Example: Footbridge over highway and railroads in Longueuil, Canada

Funding Opportunity

Metropolitan & Statewide Planning and NonMetropolitan Transportation Planning - 5303

Provides funding and procedural requirements for multimodal transportation planning in metropolitan areas and states. Planning needs to be cooperative, continuous, and comprehensive, resulting in long-range plans and short-range programs reflecting transportation investment priorities.

Eligible projects are those that:

• increase the safety of the transportation system for motorized and non-motorized users
• protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns
• enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight

Major new fixed guideway projects, or extension to existing systems financed with New Starts funds. Funds are typically received through a full funding grant agreement that defines the scope of the project and specifies the total multi-year federal commitment to the project.

Community Engagement

2004 Chihuahuita Neighborhood Plan

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Outcome:

• 2010 Lion Plazita improvements (left)

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Unrealized:

• Improved entrance to neighborhood (below)

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Does the neighborhood still want this?

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Concept illustration of gateway to the Chihuahuita Neighborhood, City of El Paso Chihuahuita Neighborhood Plan

Google maps

• Small in area but

BIG in community identity

• History…
• Buildings…

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• South of downtown El Paso
• 20 minute walk to downtown
• 8 minute walk to Bert Williams Downtown Santa Fe Transfer Center*
• Poor access south of Transfer Center
• No bus stops
• Rental scooter boundary

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• 2020 census this will most likely go away based on Jose’s census data information presented at the beginning of the presentation
• 318 people
• 103 households
• Age:
• Approx. 29%: 0-17 yrs
• Approx. 32%: 40 - 64 yrs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahuita,_Texas#/media/File:Chihuahuita_exhibit_at_the_El_Paso_Museum_of_History.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahuita,_Texas#/media/File:Chihuahuita_exhibit_at_the_El_Paso_Museum_of_History.jpg

Chihuahuita Neighborhood - Previous Engagement

• Many of the current residents descent from the original neighborhood and live in small adobe houses.
• When TXDOT first proposed the Border West Expressway project in the early 2000’s, it was clear that the new roadway would directly impact Chihuahuita, demolishing most of its buildings for the new highways.
• Chihuahuita residents are accustomed to fighting for city services and fighting against the intrusions into their neighborhood.

Chihuahuita Neighborhood - Previous Engagement

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• To compensate for the Border West Expressway impacts on the neighborhood’s buildings, culture, and history, TXDOT proposed something they had not done in the past.
• They decided to suggest creating posters for classroom use without consulting any teachers or schools about the needs for such posters, as well as the neighborhood association.
• The lack of appropriate community involvements and planning at the beginning results in a longer project to re-work.
• Specially, it is very important to understand your audience and what they may want.

Historic District Outreach

PHASE I

CAPITAL

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PHASE II CONNECTIONS

PHASE III CO-CREATION

Provide your planning expertise at the APA TX El Paso conference

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T9CSYQP

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Understand how the El Paso interacts with Chihuahuita

Coordinate with the city consultant

NOW - Three Steps

• FOR Chihuahuita
• LISTEN
• to Chihuahuita
• INVITE into Chihuahuita

FUTURE - Continued serial engagement

Chihuahuita Neighborhood Outreach Strategy

PHASE I - Texas Planning Capital

• Short 7 question survey
• Intended to capitalize on:
• Planning expertise at the conference
• Conference platform to highlight the Chihuahuita Neighborhood

Image retrieved from conference website https://web.cvent.com/event/2a216587-f3f1-4b98-a792-5e9e2a39d1a6/summary

PHASE II - Greater El Paso Connections

• Coordinate with City consultant
• Ford Momentum
• Survey entire El Paso community

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• Coordinate with City:
• Establish webpage dedicated to update process on City website
• Begin social media campaign to announce update to neighborhood plan

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• Goal:

Understand how greater El Paso residents and visitors interact and connect with the Chihuahuita Neighborhood

Image retrieved from https://i.pinimg.com/originals/63/b3/2f/63b32fb332778db96ce2972bfd5f7485.jpg

PHASE III - Chihuahuita Communicate & Co-create

STEP A FOR

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STEP B LISTEN

STEP C

OPEN HOUSE

For Chihuahuita:​

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• Identify local leaders
• Residents
• Businesses

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• Contact adjacents
• Railroad
• TxDOT
• Other

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• Establish advocacy committee

Learn Chihuahuita:​

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• Interviews
• City departments
• Local businesses
• Residents

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• Survey
• Local businesses
• Residents

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• Sample survey
• Handout
• Questions for each university team topic

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Invite to Chihuahuita:​

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• Open House
• Invite us in
• Introductions
• Survey Results

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• Walk and Talk
• Show us around
• Identify needs and wants

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• Serial Engagement
• Regular progress reports over years
• Track improvements

CONFERENCE POSTER

LEARN APA TX CAPITAL

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CONNECT WITH EL PASO

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CHIHUAHUITA

COMMUNICATE AND CO-CREATE

Community Social Media Post

Community Flyer

OPEN HOUSE SIGN�

• Post at railroad tracks/ outside of right-of-way

Thank you for attending!

Matthew Bodine

Joseph Allen

Kelly Brasseaux

Elizabeth Dupont

Wilinia Hamilton

Muyang Li

Jose Marines

Jacob Moreno’

Adair Aranda

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Eugene Maima

Kaleb Otems

Ed Pettitt

Zachary Timms

Sam Panaigua

Taylor Valley

Jacinta Davis

Cecilia Stewart

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Irene Vu

Jenifer Reiner

Ryan O’Carroll

Anthony Ramirez

Jessica Suma

Susan Gonzalez

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