The fate of a new $50-million ballpark in downtown El Paso now lies in the hands of a single man — Mayor John Cook — and he’ll announce his decision today.
The El Paso City Council approved a lease for a new downtown ballpark for the Tucson Padre (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) Tuesday by a 4-3 margin, but the El Paso mayor has the power to veto any action taken by the council — but the council does have the power to override, with six votes. Since it’s highly unlikly any ballpark proposal would receive six votes (five appears to be about it), Cook really does look to have the final say on the project.
He’ll make his announcement today after spending some time to think about it. Cook has been on both sides of the fence on the issue: twice he’s threatened a veto, only to walk the threat back after saying his concerned had been addressed.
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