Downtown El Paso Special Privilege Permitting Process

The process to permit events on the public right-of-way was unnecessarily difficult to navigate. It discouraged events from occurring in Downtown El Paso.

The result was an underutilized public

landscape home to the region’s premier venues

and historical architecture.

The City of El Paso and the Downtown Management District entered into an agreement that allowed the DMD to

administer the special privilege permitting process.

It took nine months for the DMD to re-configure the application process and

convert into an on-line, simplified method.

Old Permitting Process

Collaboration

Over a period of 9 months, the DMD and various departments at the City of

El Paso collaborated in order to transform a difficult process into a simpler, streamlined application.

The old process represented mounds of paper and obstacles at every step of the way.

New Process

New on-line permitting process

New Downtown Landscape

Downtown became the home of the City’s most vibrant, unique events. Art festivals, music festivals, community

congregations and holiday celebrations began to take place

downtown.

Results

Downtown Today• Still sought as the first

option for outdoor festivals and celebrations by many production companies.

• Provides the space and amenities found in venues specifically built to host large events

• Continues to be an easily accessible and recognizable public space.

Continued Success

The program continues to draw new and recurring events to Downtown. Event organizers have never

before been so informed about upcoming construction projects and funding resources. The

DMD is proud to continue working with event organizers by providing individualized help, advice

and support.