El Paso officials are working on a plan to redevelop the site of Cohen Stadium, the former home of the El Paso Diablos.
Cohen Stadium has been mostly vacant in recent years, and the city is considering a redevelopment plan that would bring several amenities to the site. As part of a concept that was unveiled last week, the ballpark would be demolished to clear the way for a mixed-use area that includes a water park, athletic facilities, a hotel, retail, urban plaza, broadcasting studio, and more. The city would develop the water park, broadcasting studio, athletic facilities, urban plaza, and greenspace, while working with private developers to complete the other amenities.
Work will have to continue to identify funding for some components of the project, but the process of demolishing Cohen Stadium could begin this year. More from El Paso Inc.:
Officials say demolition of the vacant baseball stadium near Transmountain and U.S. 54 could begin this year.
“We did what we said we were going to do,” said Northeast city Rep. Sam Morgan. “Whatever we do, I just want it to be realistic and sustainable, something that’s going to be in the community for years to come.”
Cohen Stadium originally opened in 1990, and hosted multiple incarnations of the Diablos. An affiliated version of the Diablos (Class AA; Texas League) played at the ballpark from its opening through the 2004 season, before relocating to Springfield, MO to become the Springfield Cardinals. An independent league club immediately followed and assumed the Diablos name, remaining there through the 2013 season. El Paso landed the El Paso Chihuahuas (Class AAA; Pacific Coast League) in 2014, and that club plays its games at downtown’s Southwest University Park.