Deck Plaza: the $207M park over I-10 and its funding gap
A 6.5-acre cap park over I-10 in downtown El Paso. In the design phase now, with construction expected in 2027. The price tag is set. The funding is not.
$207M
Price tag, in 2027 dollars
Plus $32M in TxDOT retaining walls. downtowndeckplaza.org
$74-84M
Committed so far
About a third of the project cost. El Paso Times op-ed, May 8, 2026
$0
City general-fund dollars committed
City Council support is non-binding. 2026 candidate questionnaires
The project
Deck Plaza would cap I-10 through downtown El Paso with a 6.5-acre park. It is in the design phase, with construction expected in 2027.
The money
- Price tag: $207M in 2027 dollars, plus $32M in TxDOT retaining walls. One critic's estimate puts the true cost near $240M.
- Committed so far: roughly $74-84M, including a $10M TxDOT advance-design deal, $25M from the MPO, $3.15M in federal community project funding, and $1M from the county.
- Another $35M in philanthropy is described as "committed but not yet secured."
- Grant applications totaled $80.44M. About $998K has been awarded. Four applications totaling $60M were rejected.
- No city general-fund dollars are committed. City Council support is non-binding.
Sources: downtowndeckplaza.org; El Paso Times op-ed, May 8, 2026; 2026 candidate questionnaires.
Open questionsWho closes a funding gap of over $100M? Deck Plaza is a top issue in the 2026 council races, which means the answer may depend on who wins. We track every new commitment here.
Reading the gap
Committed money is not secured money. The $35M in philanthropy is described as committed but not yet secured, and rejected grant applications do not come back. The honest question is what happens if the gap never closes.